Assessing Pollinator Outcomes Associated with Delivery of the Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas Framework for Conservation Action

Title: Assessing Pollinator Outcomes Associated with Delivery of the Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas Framework for Conservation Action Primary Investigator: Dr. Darin McNeil, Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, 104 T.P. Cooper Building, Lexington, KY 40546- 0073 Abstract: The University of Kentucky (UK) will design and implement a study of pollinator use of projects delivered by NRCS under the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas framework. The study design will focus on outcomes for pollinators, including occurrence, abundance and diversity of common and rare species, across all major agricultural land uses (croplands, managed forested savannas, and grazed native grasslands). On-site factors leading to pollinator use or avoidance of Farm Bill conservation practices will also be assessed, as well as implications of “focal landscape” context (focal landscapes being 1500-acre blocks with sufficient bobwhite habitat to sustain a local population). Pollinator assessments methods will follow those previously and successfully used in Conservation Effects Assessments studies associated with WLFW Golden-winged warbler. This proposed work will complement a national network of focal landscape monitoring already underway for the framework and led by the University of Georgia (UGA) and Quail Forever. UK will work collaboratively with UGA and QF to share study sites across multiple states. Study sites for the UGA monitoring are organized by groups of conservation practices applicable to associated land uses (e.g., prescribed fire and forest stand improvement in pine savannas) across NLT 20 participating states. The pollinator study will mirror assessments in those same conservation practice groupings/land use types but will be executed in fewer representative states and for shorter duration. We are proposing to work in NLT 3 states (up to 6 states) with field work spanning 2 seasons. A graduate student and data collection technicians will be the primary workforce.