Project period: 8 1 23-7 31 25PROJECT title: status of native bumble bees (bombus SPP.) at fort riley military reservation, kansasalteration of the natural environment and unsustainable use of natural…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Research Units program (CFDA 15.812) provides $100,303.77 to Kansas State University to investigate the ecology of native bumblebees on the Fort Riley Military Reservation in Kansas. The key objectives are to: (1) assess species richness, diversity, and occurrence of native bees; (2) estimate abundance and density of native bee populations; (3) relate floral colony type, area, and location to native bee occurrence and abundance; and (4) evaluate the effect of management actions on native bee occurrence and abundance. The study will result in annual reports, a final report, at least two scientific journal publications, and professional presentations to inform conservation planning and policy development for bumblebee populations on the military installation and in the Flint Hills region.

Project period: 8 1 23-7 31 25PROJECT title: status of native bumble bees (bombus SPP.) at fort riley military reservation, kansasalteration of the natural environment and unsustainable use of natural resources to support increasing human population and development is threatening global biodiversity and provisioning of ecological goods and services. Bumblebees (apidae: bombini) are vital pollinators for agricultural and wild plants worldwide. Pollination services provided by the 250 species of bumblebees is particular critical in grasslands where 60 of plants depend on insects to reproduce. IT has been estimated that 25 of north american bumblebee species are considered at risk for extinction, which be affecting plant community dynamics in grasslands (https: WWW.xerces.ORG endangered-species species-profiles bumble-bees). Bumblebees are the primary pollinator for wildflowers and other forbs in the great plains, which contribute most to species richness and diversity and exhibit the greatest responses to disturbance and environmental change in the biome. About one-third of great plains native BEE species are specialists regarding the family of plants they visit for pollen and two-thirds are generalists. Unfortunately, little is known about the ecology, diversity, abundance, and life histories of bumblebees in the great plains, especially the tallgrass prairie, which is considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in world ( 4 remaining intact tallgrass prairie). There is a lack of BEE research in native grassland, especially the tallgrass prairie of the great plains. Fort riley is a 40,725 HA army installation in the northern flint hills of kansas. Fort riley is a 40,725 HA army installation in the northern flint hills of kansas. The goal of this study is to investigate the ecology of native bees on fort riley military installation. Activities to be performed - the primary objectives are (1) assess species richness, diversity, and occurrence of native bees, (2) estimate abundance and density of native BEE populations, (3) relate floral colony type, area, and location to native BEE occurrence and abundance, and (4) evaluate the effect of management actions on the occurrence and abundance of native bees. Deliverables and expected outcomes - annual reports 1 october 2023, 2024 final report 31 december 2025. At least 2 manuscripts will be submitted to scientific journals annual professional presentations at professional, agency, and other meetings and available inputs when request for conservation planning and policy development. The results from these efforts will be part of an effort to develop a rigorous monitoring program for native bees on the installation. Intended beneficiary(IES) fort riley and the department of defense will be provided with a comprehensive assessment of bumble BEE populations on the installation, which will inform conservation strategies and management actions should the status of any BEE species change. The U.S. Fish and wildlife service and kansas department of wildlife and parks will gain information on the occurrence, status, and density of bumble bees in the flint hills of kansas. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award n a