Effects of plant mix, restoration year, and management regime of urban meadows on plant-pollinator network size, structure, and diversity

The purpose of this project is to identify bees and evaluate plant-pollinator networks based on the biomonitoring surveys conducted at the Meadoway in 2020-2021 with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). The aim of these surveys is to develop a baseline understanding of bee diversity in The Meadoway and evaluate the effects of plant mix, restoration age, and management regime to improve TRCA best practices for future projects. The intern will conduct timed bee surveys at the Meadoway at sites 1-5 years post restoration and on specific flowers. Bees will be identified to species level and used to develop a synoptic collection for the Meadoway. The plant-pollinator network properties will allow the intern to rank plants present in the Meadoway based on attractiveness and value to wild bees. This information will be available to TRCA for their ongoing projects and management practices that target biodiversity conservation in public spaces.

Faculty Supervisor:

J. Scott MacIvor

Student:

Sisley Irwin

Partner:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto