172 research outputs found
Variation in Foraging Preferences by Bumble Bees Through Time with a Focus on Bombus affinis Conservation
No full textvi, 59 p.Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) provide valuable pollination services to both wild Plant communities and crops. Given the decline of some bumble bee species and the recent placement of the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) on the endangered species list, efforts to conserve these insects are crucial. Understanding floral preferences of individual Bombus species can give insight into the importance of each Bombus species as pollinators of specific plants, whether there are plants serving as common resources, and the importance of individual plant species to Bombus species. However, little is known about the foraging behavior of bumble bee species, particularly Bombus affinis, as it relates to how plant preference varies throughout the day (diurnally) and between years (interannually). To fill this gap, we constructed plant-pollinator networks using data collected from photographic surveys conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. We found that there was no significant difference in foraging behavior diurnally between species, but that the foraging behavior significantly differed interannually between species, in some years. We also found that the number of plant species visited changes both diurnally and interannually. Finally, we found that Bombus affinis visited a range of plant species which differed interannually. These results suggest that external factors, such as climate change, may affect the bumble bee community interannually, from phenology changes and early onset of spring. Habitat fragmentation, in turn, may explain the lack of difference between diurnal foraging because bumble bees may have to rely on the plant species closest to them. Future studies should further explore the effects of climate change on phenology and the effect patchy floral resources may have on the foraging behavior of bumble bees, particularly B. affinis
"In this moment of alarm and peril": Female Education, Religion and Politics In the Late Eighteenth Century, With special reference to Catharine Macaulay and Hannah More
No full textPhDCatharine Macaulay and Hannah More are conventionally represented as
ideological opposites. Through an analysis which centres on their writings, this
thesis critically examines that representation, and more broadly explores
contemporary perceptions of the roles of women of the middling sort in the late
eighteenth century. It argues that revolution, particularly the French Revolution,
created a climate wherein the duties of women became the subject of increasing
debate. The discussion challenges and builds upon recent work on women's
writing and history, by examining how and why the role of women changed at this
time. This work is concerned with contemporary representations of women, and
concentrates on analysis of primary texts and archival material over a wide range
of genres, including educational treatises, plays, popular tracts, political pamphlets,
historical writing and newspapers - the latter proving a major resource.
Following a critical introduction, the thesis falls into four chapters. Chapter one
discusses the reputation, critical reception and public fame of Macaulay and More,
thereby providing insights into contemporary sexual and social politics. Women
were considered arbiters of morals and manners - believed to play a vital role in
ensuring social stability - and the second chapter examines how the threat of
revolution led to increasing anxiety and debate about the nature of female
education. The third and fourth chapters discuss religion and politics respectively,
and argue that beliefs about the interdependency of Church and State, together with
the feminization of religion, legitimized women's involvement in politics and
enlarged their sphere of influence.
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The conclusion argues that the political and religious climate provided
opportunities for women to reassess and redefine their roles; while often remaining
within parameters defined by commonly held perceptions of femininity, they
politicized the domestic, extended female agency, and elevated the status of
women
Understanding Barriers to Participation in Cost-Share Programs For Pollinator Conservation by Wisconsin (USA) Cranberry Growers
No full textThe expansion of modern agriculture has led to the loss and fragmentation of natural habitat, resulting in a global decline in biodiversity, including bees. In many countries, farmers can participate in cost-share programs to create natural habitat on their farms for the conservation of beneficial insects, such as bees. Despite their dependence on bee pollinators and the demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship, participation in such programs by Wisconsin cranberry growers has been low. The objective of this study was to understand the barriers that prevent participation by Wisconsin cranberry growers in cost-share programs for on-farm conservation of native bees. We conducted a survey of cranberry growers (n = 250) regarding farming practices, pollinators, and conservation. Although only 10% of growers were aware of federal pollinator cost-share programs, one third of them were managing habitat for pollinators without federal aid. Once informed of the programs, 50% of growers expressed interest in participating. Fifty-seven percent of growers manage habitat for other wildlife, although none receive cost-share funding to do so. Participation in cost-share programs could benefit from outreach activities that promote the programs, a reduction of bureaucratic hurdles to participate, and technical support for growers on how to manage habitat for wild bees
Effectiveness of pollination by wild bees as influenced by landscape composition and distance from natural habitat
No full textv, 28 p.Bees are an animal pollinator often utilized by fruit growers. While honey bees have historically been used for crop pollination, they are currently facing a number of threats to their population. Wild bees present a potential source of pollination services for crops to supplement those provided by honey bees. However, landscape composition and the availability of foraging and nesting resources might affect wild bee abundance and therefore pollination services. We looked at wild bee pollination in cranberry marshes in Wisconsin. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) if wild bees could provide pollination services equivalent to those provided by honey bees, (2) if wild bee pollination varied with landscape composition and (3) if distance from edge of natural habitat affected pollination by wild bees. Sites were chosen so that the surrounding landscape varied from below 35% to above 60% of agriculture or wooded area within 2 km of sites. Pan traps were placed in cranberry marshes to measure wild bee abundance. Sentinel plants, including sunflower and buckwheat, were placed in cranberry fields and visitation rates and seed count were recorded to represent pollination success. Wild bee abundance was found to be positively correlated with surrounding woodland, but was not significantly correlated with surrounding agriculture. Seed number did not significantly vary in the presence or absence of honey bees or with surrounding agriculture or wooded area. It was, however, significantly affected by an interaction between honey bee presence and surrounding agriculture. Seed number did not significantly differ at increasing distances from natural habitat. Based on these observations, wild bees may be a viable alternative to honey bees depending on habitat composition.Made publicly available on 5/27/14 at the request of the author.Department of Entomology. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, Wisconsin
The fuzzy theory and women writers in the late eighteenth century
No full text'Fuzzy Theory and Women Writers in the Late Eighteenth Century' contends
that women writers require more careful critical treatment, and suggests that critics
are still bound by the outdated logic of the Law of the Excluded Middle. This law,
first formulated by Aristotle, and developed by Gottfried Leibniz in the early
eighteenth century, indicates that where there are two contradictory prepositions, one
must be true and the other false; a female writer must, therefore, either be feminine or
masculine, conservative or radical. The twentieth century concept of Fuzzy logic,
however, helped mathematicians and engineers to manage reasoning that was only
approximate, rather than exact. Borrowing from this, the thesis will employ the
Fuzzy Set Theory, which permits the gradual assessment of elements in a set, rather
than relying on elements that are assessed in binaric terms (the principle of bivalence,
or, contradiction). Put simply, the Fuzzy Set Theory does away with binaries, the Law
of the Excluded Middle, and the Law of Contradiction, allowing subjects to be
imprecise, and changeable. Thus, each chapter will construct a Fuzzy Set by which a
variety of eighteenth century debates, with which women writers engaged, can be
examined. The thesis will show that all such concepts are subjective and unstable—
changeable and open to personal interpretation, and will discuss such writers as Mary
Wollstonecraft, Catherine Macaulay, Charlotte Smith, Anna Letitia Barbauld, Mary
Hays, Lucy Aikin, Hannah More and Joanna Southcott
Patronage and Professionalism in the writings of Hannah More, Charlotte Smith and Ann Yearsley, 1770-1806.
No full textThis thesis examines the changes which were occurring in the literary marketplace at the end of the eighteenth century. The place of the traditional aristocratic patrons was gradually being taken by publishers and book sellers, who were increasingly dealing with writers direct. This move away from patronage towards a new form of professionalism took place during two decades of intense political upheaval and questioning of national identity, and at a point where women writers were being
seen increasingly as a natural part of literary culture.
The argument is focused on three case studies of women who came to prominence in the 1780s, and explores their different experiences of life as professional
writers, patrons and protegees. Their work is placed within the context of two significant political and social events; the beginnings of the movement to abolish the
slave trade in 1788, and the French Revolution. In particular, the thesis enagages with the Revolution's descent into the Terror in the 1790s, and the response of British writers to this most brutal phase.
Also considered are the various ways in which a literary work could be brought into print at the end of the eighteenth century, and how the three central women were
able to move from one mode of publishing to another. This thesis also sets out to offer a fresh perspective on the careers of these women, and in particular to recover the
reputation of Ann Yearsley as a writer of note in the 1790s.
It is proposed that a broader view needs to be taken of the factors influencing literary production in the 1780s and 90s than is currently the case, and the argument is
concluded with a consideration of the relationship between patronage and professionalism at the end of the eighteenth century, and an assessment of the significance of patronage in an increasingly professional literary marketplace
Can Quantified Self Be a Facilitating Technology to Help Older Adults Stay Longer in Their Home?
No full textReaders of this chapter are taken through a journey by the author, who narrates a real-life story of a lady called Maria who is 75-year old and lives with her husband Albert, 81-years. The narration describes the lives of Maria and Albert, detailing their enjoyment of physical activity, and their children. Yet, one-day Maria is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and through the narration the author describes the experience that Maria and her family experience. Fast forwarding, to the year 2030, the author continues her narration describing how technology may fit into Maria’s life and that of her family; including the use of wearable devices and sensors integrated into the home where Maria lives, and enabling her family to track in real-time Maria’s sleep patterns and overall health. Additionally, this chapter discusses the fields of ageing in place, the quantified self (QS), and based on existing work in this field, the author explores a taxonomy for the QS, referencing and drawing on the work of Deborah Lupton. Further exploration and discussion in the areas of appropriation, affordance, rights, and risks of QS are provided with the author exploring how digital technologies fit within the healthcare system
Colonies of Bumble Bees (Bombus impatiens) Produce Fewer Workers, Less Bee Biomass, and Have Smaller Mother Queens Following Fungicide Exposure
No full textBees provide vital pollination services to the majority of flowering plants in both natural and agricultural systems. Unfortunately, both native and managed bee populations are experiencing declines, threatening the persistence of these plants and crops. Agricultural chemicals are one possible culprit contributing to bee declines. Even fungicides, generally considered safe for bees, have been shown to disrupt honey bee development and impair bumble bee behavior. Little is known, however, how fungicides may affect bumble bee colony growth. We conducted a controlled cage study to determine the effects of fungicide exposure on colonies of a native bumble bee species (Bombus impatiens). Colonies of B. impatiens were exposed to flowers treated with field-relevant levels of the fungicide chlorothalonil over the course of one month. Colony success was assessed by the number and biomass of larvae, pupae, and adult bumble bees. Bumble bee colonies exposed to fungicide produced fewer workers, lower total bee biomass, and had lighter mother queens than control colonies. Our results suggest that fungicides negatively affect the colony success of a native bumble bee species and that the use of fungicides during bloom has the potential to severely impact the success of native bumble bee populations foraging in agroecosystems
Do managed bees have negative effects on wild bees?: A systematic review of the literature
No full textDo managed bees have negative effects on wild bees?: A systematic review of the literature.
No full textManaged bees are critical for crop pollination worldwide. As the demand for pollinator-dependent crops increases, so does the use of managed bees. Concern has arisen that managed bees may have unintended negative impacts on native wild bees, which are important pollinators in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. The goal of this study was to synthesize the literature documenting the effects of managed honey bees and bumble bees on wild bees in three areas: (1) competition for floral and nesting resources, (2) indirect effects via changes in plant communities, including the spread of exotic plants and decline of native plants, and (3) transmission of pathogens. The majority of reviewed studies reported negative effects of managed bees, but trends differed across topical areas. Of studies examining competition, results were highly variable with 53% reporting negative effects on wild bees, while 28% reported no effects and 19% reported mixed effects (varying with the bee species or variables examined). Equal numbers of studies examining plant communities reported positive (36%) and negative (36%) effects, with the remainder reporting no or mixed effects. Finally, the majority of studies on pathogen transmission (70%) reported potential negative effects of managed bees on wild bees. However, most studies across all topical areas documented the potential for impact (e.g. reporting the occurrence of competition or pathogens), but did not measure direct effects on wild bee fitness, abundance, or diversity. Furthermore, we found that results varied depending on whether managed bees were in their native or non-native range; managed bees within their native range had lesser competitive effects, but potentially greater effects on wild bees via pathogen transmission. We conclude that while this field has expanded considerably in recent decades, additional research measuring direct, long-term, and population-level effects of managed bees is needed to understand their potential impact on wild bees
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