Community Science Volunteers Boost Bumble Bee Research with New Sightings

In a groundbreaking study, York University has revealed the invaluable role community science volunteers play in advancing the understanding of native bumble bee populations across Canada and the United States. These dedicated volunteers, participating in the Bumble Bee Watch (BBW) program, have significantly enhanced scientific knowledge by documenting bumble bee sightings and contributing critical data.

The BBW program empowers laypeople with an interest in bees and conservation to act as the eyes on the ground for researchers. Volunteers photograph bumble bees, record their sightings, and upload the information to the BBW website. These contributions are then verified by bee taxon experts, providing robust and valuable data that complements traditional scientific methods.

Lead author Victoria MacPhail, who conducted the research as part of her Ph.D. at York's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC), highlighted the breadth of data gathered by community scientists. "As scientists, we value the contributions of community scientists and the extensive data they collect from a wide range of locations and species," MacPhail said. "This kind of field work is often beyond the resources and time constraints of professional scientists."

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that community scientists through the BBW program have detected several at-risk or endangered bumble bee species in unexpected locations, including the rusty-patched bumble bee and the gypsy cuckoo bumble bee. These findings are crucial for monitoring species that trained scientists may not have observed for years.

Male Bombus huntii, a species of bumblebee, on a sunflower. Credit: Victoria MacPhail

MacPhail, along with York Associate Professor Sheila Colla and Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Richard Hatfield of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, compared data collected by BBW volunteers with traditional scientific methods. They discovered that the BBW program covered as much geographic ground as traditional methods and provided data on a similar number of species.

From 2010 to 2020, BBW volunteers contributed data from additional provinces and states, and provided more information about various species compared to traditional methods. This included crucial ecological information, such as species data and preferred plant genera, which aids in preventing habitat loss and informing conservation management.

"While the BBW had fewer bee records overall compared to traditional methods, it fills critical data gaps and provides new information," said Colla. "The BBW bolsters our knowledge about habitat, species associations, distribution, and changes in population size, informing conservation management for bumble bees."

Community science programs like BBW not only provide essential data but also raise awareness about the threats facing bumble bees. By engaging volunteers who are already interested in documenting bees and their habitats, these programs help mitigate species decline and promote conservation efforts.

As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, the contributions of community science volunteers are more important than ever. Their efforts in documenting bumble bee populations highlight the critical role that citizen scientists play in preserving our natural world.

A study by York University highlights the significant contributions of community science volunteers to the scientific understanding of native bumble bees across Canada and the United States. The Bumble Bee Watch (BBW) program enables volunteers to photograph and report bumble bee sightings, providing valuable data on bee distributions, population dynamics, and preferred plants. This data has helped identify at-risk species and complements traditional scientific methods. The study emphasizes the importance of community science in conservation efforts and monitoring bumble bee populations.

FAQs

What is community science? Community science involves volunteers, often laypeople, contributing to scientific research by collecting data and observations.
What is the Bumble Bee Watch (BBW) program? BBW is a program where volunteers photograph bumble bees and report their sightings, contributing to a database used by scientists.
Why is community science important for bumble bee research? Volunteers can cover large geographic areas and collect extensive data, helping to fill gaps in scientific knowledge and monitor bee populations.
What have community scientists discovered through the BBW program? They have identified at-risk or endangered bumble bee species in new locations and provided data on bee distributions, population dynamics, and plant preferences.
How does the data from BBW compare to traditional scientific methods? BBW data complements traditional methods, covering extensive geographic areas and providing new information on bee species and habitats.

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#CommunityScience
#PollinatorProtection
#CitizenScience
#BeeResearch

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