Research
For my MSc thesis, I am examining how sown wildflower strips in vineyards influence the abundance and diversity of wild bees in comparison to vineyards with spontaneous vegetation. Biodiversity in vineyards has come under increasing pressure due to the extensive use of pesticides and frequent mowing and mulching of inter-rows. Wild bees build a key component for a functioning ecosystem and are therefore a good indicator for the ecosystem’s health. A seed mixture was specifically developed to create wildflower strips in the inter-rows of vineyards with the overarching goal to decrease the need of pesticides by attracting beneficials. Multiple surveys will be carried out: flowering plants will be monitored, and wild bees will be sampled using vane traps. Additionally, we will record the management and landscape parameters of each vineyard. This is part of the long-term project “Blühende Rebberge für Mensch und Natur” carried out by Agroscope and FiBL, which aims to provide insights into the long-term effects sown wildflower strips have on wild bee populations in Swiss vineyards.
