Robert Gegear, Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
April 2019
Pollinators are declining in abundance, species richness, and geographic distribution at an unprecedented rate-- and this topic is HOT! But understanding how to create landscapes that truly support pollinator biodiversity is a complex topic that goes way beyond observing bees buzzing for nectar around flowers. Rob Gegear gives us a great introduction to the intricacies of this subject, with a particular focus on our native bumblebees. He frames the issue within the concept of pollination systems— exploring the needs of both pollinators and plants— to help us start to develop conservation strategies that will be genuinely effective.
Dr. Robert Gegear is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His research interests include the conservation of native pollination systems, floral evolution, and bumblebee ecology. Previously he taught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he founded the Beecology Project, funded by the National Science Foundation. This initiative uses citizen science to collect much-needed ecological data on native pollinator species and pollinator habitat.