How many flowers to sustain wild bees?

Location: University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter EX4 4QJ

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/

Project Background

Bumble bees are important wild pollinators that nest underground. Even in cold Arctic soils, bumble bees heat their nests metabolically to over 30 [Symbol]C by non-flight thermogenesis, which takes a lot of energy depending on soil temperatures. For fuel, bees collect sugary nectar from flowers, which takes a lot of time depending on the locations of flowers. Their populations are in decline perhaps in part due to shortages of flowers. This PhD will contribute to their conservation by (i) quantifying the energy needs of bumble bee nests in different soils and (ii) calculating the number and proximity of flowers needed to sustain colonies and viable populations. This will be achieved by analyzing the thermal performance of bee nests (including fieldwork) and by formulating models to identify the critical balance point between energy demand (carbohydrate metabolism, heat transfer) and supply (foraging energetics).

Project Aims and Methods

i. Quantify the energy requirements, power outputs and efficiency of nest incubation in bumble bees in relation to soil/substrate attributes;
ii. Determine the number, proximity and nectar richness of flowers needed to support colony growth and reproduction in bumble bees.
iii. Formulate conservation/enhancement plans for landscapes to be able to provide enough flowers to sustain or increase bumble bee populations.

You will study the performance and energy requirements of nest incubation in bumble bees and develop a device (the ‘bumble bee nest simulator’, or BSM) that can be used to precisely measure equivalent heat transfers in artificial nests. The BSM will comprise heat generators (to simulate thermogenic bees) and heat sensors, as well as being able to remotely transmit data to an above-ground recorder. You will generalize the results mathematically using theories of heat transfer, optimal foraging and population growth. Your results will begin to establish a framework to predict bumble bee nest distributions and thereby direct conservation efforts aimed at sustaining these ecologically and economically valuable pollinators.

Training

In addition to the training events provided by NERC GW4+ DTP and the UoE Doctoral College, you will work across laboratories in biology and physics. Your supervisors will meet with you weekly and provide training opportunities to set you up for a successful career in research including: ecology, animal physiology and sensing technology. You will also be involved in reviewing manuscripts and grants, attending international conferences and specialist group meetings. You will be allocated a pastoral mentor by the University and trained to practice a good work-life balance.