Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is an organization stationed here at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute that promotes the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of land throughout the state. Prior to starting class for the week, I attended a VWL hosted pollinator workshop onsite. The lectures focused on native bee diversity and ecology, monarch butterfly conservation, and native grassland restoration.
I learned a great deal about the behavioral ecology and habitat requirements of a variety of pollinator species. For example, tomato plants do not produce nectar, so honeybees will no pollinate them. Instead they rely on bumblebees for pollination, since bumblebees can beat the pollen out of them (which they eat), dispersing some in the process.
VWL has set up an informal experiment onsite to show the effectiveness of a variety of management techniques for restoring native wildflower habitat. These experimental fields are referred to as the demonstration plots. This week for class we collected data on habitat quality of the VWL demonstration plots for pollinators and bobwhite quail.
The process ended up taking two days because it required a full class period just to set up the grids for sampling. We were directed by Bill McShea, a researcher here at SCBI who is in charge of the ecology department. He briefed us on the intended game plan for setting up the grid system but gave a disclaimer about the likelihood that it would have to be adjusted.
From what I can tell, that seems to be a theme throughout field ecology. A plan always seems good on paper, but when put to practice it is often far from effective. Luckily I do not consider myself to be one who relies on structure, so I am okay with a bit of chaos. That being said, it definitely can be frustrating when a seemingly flawless plan starts to crumble before your eyes. I guess you just have to laugh through the mayhem and push forward.