A variety of different methods
Different experimental methods and setups are used in the BALANCE PROJECT, ranging from the laboratory and greenhouse to mesocosm and field experiments. Thereby, the project covers a huge variety of options available to fund the new strategy to safeguard bees and pollination with a strong database.
Study organisms
Four different study organisms are used in the BALANCE PROJECT, two plant species and two bee species. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is an ubiquitous crop in temperate areas around the globe that is used for oil production and as animal fodder. Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a cash crop which is also common in temperate areas. Both crops can strongly benefit from pollination by bees. The buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris is a social wild bee that builts colonies with hundreds of individuals. The red mason bee Osmia bicornis, is a commnon solitary wild bee that builts nests in tree holes and is a also commonly seen nesting in bee hotels. Both bee species are general pollinators for wild plants and crops, incuding oilseed rape and strawberry.
Laboratory and greenhouse
Laboratory and greenhouse studies are used to investigate how bees and plants are influenced by different temperatures. Laboratory experiments are implemented in climate chambers, where temperature can be adjusted independent of outside conditions. In the greenhouse, plants are grown that can be used for specific tests of development but also for mesocosm studies. The advantage of laboratoty and greenhouse studies is that the parameters in focus can be studied in detail and measurements standardised without external disturbances.
Mesocosm
Mesocosms are small worlds that can be experimentally manipulated. Mesocosm studies are used to be able to study detailed behaviour of bees during flower visitation as well as to limit the exposure of bees to insecticides and temperatures to be in focus and how this is influencing yield quantity and quality. Mesocosms are the link between laboratory and field studies and allow controlled outside conditions. Mesocosm studies are also often named as semi-field realistic.
Field
Field studies provide oudoor conditions, where not just the parameters in focus but also all other conditions can influence the experiment. Field studies are used to investigate the visitation of plants treated with different insecticides and doses and how this affects yield quantity and quality under realistic conditions.