Kat Harrold,
PhD Student
As
part of my PhD at the University of Northampton I am investigating insect
pollinators, specifically bees, butterflies and hoverflies in the Nene Valley
Nature Improvement Area (NIA). I am working on producing a model within
ArcGIS which will create a map showing areas of high and low pollinator
diversity and abundance.
To
make this model I am collecting information on different factors such as
availability of natural habitats, water and differing agri-environment schemes,
to see how they affect the insects. The intention of the model is to
inform groups such as conservation organisations or the planning sector, how
land-use change may positively or negatively affect pollinators.
In
2013 I assessed the diversity and abundance of insect pollinators on 14
grassland sites, a mixture of private and public sites including Summerleys and
Stanwick Lakes. In total 737 insects were recorded; 219 bees, 152
hoverflies and 366 butterflies. It is interesting to note that of this
737 recorded insect pollinators only 5 were honey bees, highlighting the
importance of wild pollinators!
Here
is a habitat diversity map I have produce for the NIA, based on Shannon-Wiener
diversity index, red areas show where there are areas of many differing types
of habitat whilst blue areas are those which may contain only singular or few
habitat types.
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Nene
Valley Nature Improvement Area Habitat Diversity Map
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