On the art of conserving pollinators: the role of gardeners

Insect pollinators are in decline worldwide, threatening global food production and the diversity of plant communities that depend on pollinators for reproduction. As a conservation ecologist using interaction networks to understand the impact of pollinator decline on ecological communities, my research aims to understand how we can best halt the erosion of insect abundance and diversity. While our ability to monitor changes in pollinators and pollination in human-modified landscapes is essential for effective management and protection, the engagement and actions of the general public potentially have the biggest impact on pollinator diversity in such landscapes.

Residential gardens are now known to be important refuges for pollinators, as agricultural lands are becoming increasingly hostile environments for these beneficial insects. The challenge is to engage and empower residential gardeners in managing these important habitats for pollinators.

I will present an exciting interdisciplinary approach to address the pollinator crisis. Our new project explores the power of art and algorithm-derived planting designs to create networks of optimal foraging habitats for pollinators across a semi-urban environment and studies the role that garden owners can play in actively supporting and monitoring pollinators in their gardens. The project combines art, social science, philosophy and ecology to improve pollinator diversity in residential gardens and transform human-nature interactions by enabling gardeners to engage in evidence-based methods for biodiversity conservation.

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