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Lynne OsgathorpePhD Research Student MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, Imperial College London (2005-2006) Supervisors: Start Date: 1st October 2007 tel: +44 1786
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Research Project
Reconciling ecology and socio-economics to conserve the Great Yellow Bumblebee
Research funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
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Background
The Western Isles are renowned for their spectacular wildlife assemblages and
are home to bumblebee species, including Britain’s rarest, the Great Yellow
Bumblebee (Bombus Distinguendus). This species was once widespread throughout
the British Isles but in the past 50 years it has undergone an estimated 95% decline in
its range and distribution due to agricultural intensification. As a result, this species is
now only found on the machair of the Western Isles, on Orkney and along the far north
coast of mainland Scotland. B. distinguendus is synonymous with machair and the
crofting that sustains it. This strong association reflects the low intensity,
environmentally friendly and traditional methods used by crofters and demonstrates
how important crofting is for the wildlife of the Western Isles. However, this is not a one
way relationship – as important pollinators of flowers and crops bumblebees perform an important role within crofting and machair systems.
Crofting a traditional, small scale, subsistence based agricultural system unique to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. A traditional croft is typically a small agricultural unit consisting of in-bye land which is used to support livestock (primarily lamb and beef) and grow crops. A share of common hill grazings is often included with the croft, as is a share of machair, where this habitat is found. Crofting is unusual as crofters are protected by several Crofting Acts that provide them with security of tenure. The creation of the original Crofting Act (1886) came about following a turbulent period in the social history of the Highlands and Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries. Unfortunately, the crofting system is under threat as the traditional methods it uses are becoming increasingly economically unviable.
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Crofting in Durness, Sutherland |
Machair – a distinctive coastal habitat limited in distribution to the north and west of Scotland and the west of Ireland. The habitat is complex, with the term ‘machair’ often used to refer to several habitat types, the most common of which is ‘machair grassland’. Machair typically consists of flat plains of dry and seasonally wet grasslands created by shell-sand blown inland from beaches and dunes. The base rich soils created by the calcareous sands result in spectacular wildflower assemblages during the summer months. Typical machair grassland species include: red clover (Trifolium pratense), white clover (T. repens), bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum).
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Winter grazed machair grassland, North Uist |
Area of fallow on machair grassland in North Uist |
Research Aims and Objectives
The aim of my project is to find out how best to combine the needs of crofters with the conservation of B. distinguendus. Because crofting is such an important and beneficial system that influences the landscape of the Western Isles I will be taking a novel approach to conservation by examining the social and economic issues that affect today’s crofters. Collecting socio-economic data in addition to ecological data will enable me to examine the current system of environmental support schemes and look for ways in which they can be improved to benefit crofters and promote bumblebee conservation.
Specific objectives:
1. Quantify the relationship between land management and abundance of B. distinguendus.
2. Analyse current crofting economics on machair systems.
3. Develop and calibrate socio-economic models to predict how altering subsidy payments will affect farm production decisions.
4. Formulate policy recommendations to support a farming system that is both viable and maximises the abundance of B. distinguendus.
Memberships
Publications
Redpath, N*. & Osgathorpe, L.M.*, Park, K, Goulson, D. Crofting and bumblebee conservation: the impact of land management practices on bumblebee populations in northwest Scotland. Biological Conservation. In press. (*Joint first authors)
Presentations
Osgathorpe, L.M., Park, K., Hanley, N. and Goulson. D. (2008) Crofting and the conservation of Bombus distinguendus. SNH-SEPA University Liaison Day. 15th October 2008.
Poster Presentations
Osgathorpe, L.M. Park, K., Goulson, D., Hanley, N. Croft Management and Economics: Impacts on Bumblebee Conservation in the Outer Hebrides. Student Conference: Evidence Base for Environmental Management & Conservation, University of Stirling, 6th April 2009.
Osgathorpe, L.M. Park, K., Goulson, D., Hanley, N. Croft Management and Economics: Impacts on Bumblebee Conservation in the Outer Hebrides. Agricultural Economics Society Annual Conference, Irish Management Institute, Dublin, 31st March-1st April 2009.
Osgathorpe, L.M., Park, K., Hanley, N. and Goulson. D. (2008) Crofting and the conservation of Bumblebees. Machair Conservation: Successes and Challenges Conference, Glasgow University, 8th December 2008
Osgathorpe, L.M., Park, K., Hanley, N. and Goulson. D. (2008) Crofting and the conservation of Bombus distinguendus. EurBee European Conference of Apidology. Queen’s University, Belfast, 8th -11th September 2008
Osgathorpe, L.M., Park, K., Hanley, N. and Goulson. D. (2008) Crofting and the conservation of Bombus distinguendus. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Imperial College London, 3rd -5th September 2008.
Osgathorpe, L.M. and Adamson, J.K. (2004) Changes in the distribution of Calluna vulgaris at Moor House – Upper Teesdale NNR. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Lancaster University 7th-9th September 2004.
Previous Research Projects
Osgathorpe, L.M. (2006) The use of in-bye farmland fields by breeding golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) at RSPB Forsinard, Sutherland. Unpublished MSc Dissertation submitted to the RSPB.
Osgathorpe, L.M. (2004) Changes in the distribution of Calluna vulgaris at Moor House – Upper Teesdale NNR. Unpublished Student Placement Report for the UK’s Environmental Change Network (ECN).
Osgathorpe, L.M. (2003) The foraging habitat preferences of British Bats in relation to land-use, insect density and diversity. Unpublished BSc Dissertation.
