Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms

Abstract Semi‐natural grasslands are recognized as important habitat for bumblebees in Fennoscandia. These grasslands are maintained by free‐ranging sheep, but it is unclear which sheep intensities are most beneficial to bumblebees. We will compare bumblebee species richness and abundance with Bayes...

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Main Authors: Sarah Lou Malick‐Wahls, Silje Maria M. Høydal, Olivier Devineau, Morten Tofastrud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Ecological Solutions and Evidence
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70054
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author Sarah Lou Malick‐Wahls
Silje Maria M. Høydal
Olivier Devineau
Morten Tofastrud
author_facet Sarah Lou Malick‐Wahls
Silje Maria M. Høydal
Olivier Devineau
Morten Tofastrud
author_sort Sarah Lou Malick‐Wahls
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Semi‐natural grasslands are recognized as important habitat for bumblebees in Fennoscandia. These grasslands are maintained by free‐ranging sheep, but it is unclear which sheep intensities are most beneficial to bumblebees. We will compare bumblebee species richness and abundance with Bayesian mixed models at varying levels of disturbance by sheep to test the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, while considering other important habitat variables: distance to forest, meadow size, sward height, and availability of flowers, litter and bare soil. Practical Implication: Results of this investigation will provide valuable information to land managers setting limits for the number of free‐ranging sheep released on semi‐natural grasslands within the coniferous boreal landscape to benefit bumblebee conservation.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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series Ecological Solutions and Evidence
spelling doaj-art-a5cb09e333c847a6a65ed347bdef4f152025-08-20T03:30:48ZengWileyEcological Solutions and Evidence2688-83192025-04-0162n/an/a10.1002/2688-8319.70054Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farmsSarah Lou Malick‐Wahls0Silje Maria M. Høydal1Olivier Devineau2Morten Tofastrud3Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, and Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Inland Norway Ridabu NorwayDepartment of Landscape and Biodiversity Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research Ås NorwayFaculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, and Biotechnology, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management University of Inland Norway Koppang NorwayFaculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, and Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Inland Norway Ridabu NorwayAbstract Semi‐natural grasslands are recognized as important habitat for bumblebees in Fennoscandia. These grasslands are maintained by free‐ranging sheep, but it is unclear which sheep intensities are most beneficial to bumblebees. We will compare bumblebee species richness and abundance with Bayesian mixed models at varying levels of disturbance by sheep to test the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, while considering other important habitat variables: distance to forest, meadow size, sward height, and availability of flowers, litter and bare soil. Practical Implication: Results of this investigation will provide valuable information to land managers setting limits for the number of free‐ranging sheep released on semi‐natural grasslands within the coniferous boreal landscape to benefit bumblebee conservation.https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70054Bombusbumblebeesdiversityintermediate disturbance hypothesispollinatorssemi‐natural grasslands
spellingShingle Sarah Lou Malick‐Wahls
Silje Maria M. Høydal
Olivier Devineau
Morten Tofastrud
Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
Ecological Solutions and Evidence
Bombus
bumblebees
diversity
intermediate disturbance hypothesis
pollinators
semi‐natural grasslands
title Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
title_full Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
title_fullStr Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
title_full_unstemmed Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
title_short Optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee Bombus species richness and abundance on traditional Norwegian summer farms
title_sort optimal sheep grazing intensity for bumblebee bombus species richness and abundance on traditional norwegian summer farms
topic Bombus
bumblebees
diversity
intermediate disturbance hypothesis
pollinators
semi‐natural grasslands
url https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70054
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