Effects of habitat fragmentation on bumblebee foraging trip duration and colony fitness

2018

Agricultural intensification with the associated habitat loss and fragmentation are among the most important drivers for the dramatic loss of wild pollinators. In this study, conducted in intensively managed vineyards in southern Switzerland, we tested the interdependent effects of habitat amount (surface of vegetated vineyards per landscape) and fragmentation (number of vegetated vineyards per landscape) on fitness-relevant traits in bumblebee Bombus terrestris terrestris colonies. Individual bumblebee foraging trips were measured with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology while colony fitness was assessed by quantifying nest parameters related to colony size. Vegetation cover i…