Cover image for Bee pollination in agricultural ecosystems
Title:
Bee pollination in agricultural ecosystems
Publication Information:
New York : Oxford University Press, 2008
Physical Description:
xiv, 232 p. : ill., map ; 25 cm.
ISBN:
9780195316957

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30000010229024 QK926 B43 2008 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

For many agricultural crops, bees play a vital role as pollinators, and this book discusses the interplay among bees, agriculture and the environment. Although honey bees are well recognized as pollinators, managed bumble bees and solitary bees are also critical for the successful pollination of certain crops, while wild bees provide a free service. As bees liberally pass pollen from one plant to the next, they also impact the broader ecosystem, and not always to the benefit of humankind. Bees can enhance the unintentional spread of genes from genetically engineered plants, and may increase the spread of invasive weeds. Conversely, genetically engineered plants can impact pollinators, and invasive weeds can supply new sources of food for these insects. Bees' flower-visiting activities also can be exploited to help spread biological control agents that control crop pests, and they are important for native plant reproduction. Managing bees for pollination is complex and factors that must take into consideration are treated here including bee natural history, physiology, pathology, and behavior. Furthermore, transporting bees from native ranges to new areas for pollination services can be controversial, and needs to be done only after assuring that it will not disrupt various ecosystems. Even though bees are small, unobtrusive creatures, they play large roles in the ecosystem. The connection between bees and humankind also is symbolic of a broader interconnection between humans and the natural world.


Author Notes

Rosalind R. James is Research Leader of the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Pollinating Insect Biology, Systematics, and Management Research Unit in Logan, Utah.
Theresa L. Pitts-Singer is a Research Entomologist in the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory in Logan, Utah.


Table of Contents

Christopher O'TooleTheresa L. Pitts-Singer and Rosalind R. JamesClaire KremenJosé M. Guerra-SanzJames H. CanePeter G. Kevan and Jean-Pierre Kapongo and Mohammad Al-mazra'awi and Les ShippJordi Bosch and Fabio Sgolastra and William P. KempTheresa L. Pitts-SingerRosalind R. JamesCarlos H. VergaraKaren GoodellJames E. CresswellLora A. MorandinRosalind R. James and Theresa L. Pitts-Singer
Forwordp. v
Contributorsp. xiii
Part 1 Bee-Provided Delivery Services
Chapter 1 Bees in Nature and on the Farmp. 3
Chapter 2 Crop Pollination Services From Wild Beesp. 10
Chapter 3 Crop Pollination in Greenhousesp. 27
Chapter 4 Pollinating Bees Crucial to Farming Wildflower Seed for U.S. Habitat Restorationp. 48
Chapter 5 Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, and Biocontrol: New Alliances Between Old Friendsp. 65
Part 2 Managing Solitary Bees
Chapter 6 Life Cycle Ecophysiology of Osmia Mason Bees Used as Crop Pollinatorsp. 83
Chapter 7 Past and Present Management of Alfalfa Beesp. 105
Chapter 8 The Problem of Disease When Domesticating Beesp. 124
Part 3 Environmental Risks Associated With Bees
Chapter 9 Environmental Impact of Exotic Bees Introduced for Crop Pollinationp. 145
Chapter 10 Invasive Exotic Plant-Bee Interactionsp. 166
Chapter 11 Estimating the Potential for Bee-Mediated Gene Flow in Genetically Modified Cropsp. 184
Chapter 12 Genetically Modified Crops: Effects on Bees and Pollinationp. 203
Chapter 13 The Future of Agricultural Pollinationp. 219
Indexp. 223