NYC Pollinator Project: Monitoring for the Future of the Big Apple Yasmeena Barbari, Alyssa Cruz, James Magill, and Brian Haney Ph.D.
Applications of Data
Background: Urban environments have historically been viewed as entirely negative for any species inhabiting the area. Given that urban environments are rapidly growing across the world1, it is important to understand if and how wildlife can exist in these areas. One of the key groups of animals in almost every ecosystem are the pollinators. Pollinators are crucial for the fertilization and propagation of flowering plants, which are the dominant plant group in terrestrial ecosystems and thus directly or indirectly support all other terrestrial animal life. Decreases in the abundance and diversity of pollinators has been documented in various ecosystems around the world, likely due to a combination of pesticides, climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species2. Few of these observations, however, have been performed in an urban environment, so the wellbeing of urban pollinators is relatively unknown. This project aims to initiate a long-term study of the pollinator population in New York City, one of the largest and densest urban environments in the world. We created a pollinator abundance survey and collected data that will serve as the baseline for a longitudinal study of the NYC pollinator community. This data will be compared to future pollinator abundance data in order to track any changes in our pollinator population. We have also prepared the survey and training materials for distribution to the NYC community, with the hopes that people across the city will collect data and contribute to the important task of monitoring pollinator welfare in NYC.
Methods: • • • • •
Developed and piloted a 3-minute observational survey that records pollinator abundance and diversity, as well as ecological variables that may influence pollinator activity. Developed flowering plant and pollinator ID guides to help identify the organisms observed in the survey. Performed approximately 500 surveys from early to late July in various environments within NYC, totaling 25 hours of observational time. Analyzed survey data using Student’s t-tests and Type II ANOVAs in the statistical program R for preliminary results on pollinator abundance. Created instructional materials and video for community training.
Longitudinal Study:
Urban Vs. Rural:
Our project’s main goal is to provide a baseline dataset that can allow us to understand if/how pollinator abundance is changing over time. Our urban environment continues to grow and change in numerous ways, and it is important to know if these changes disrupt our pollinators. We could compare today’s data with data in 1, 5, or even 10 years to see if there is any change on the state of pollinator abundance and use these results to sound an alarm about the health of our pollinator community.
Understanding how the pollinator community responds and adapts to an urban environment could be helpful for conservation efforts. We compared the pollinator abundance and diversity between the city and Rockefeller State Park Preserve, approximately 20 miles north of the city. We found that the abundance of all pollinators was significantly lower in the urban environments compared to rural environments (t=3.19, df=22, p=0.004), however there were significantly more honeybees observed in the urban trials (t=5.75, df=22, p=2.5E-7).
Figure 1: Locations of pollinator observations thus far (with average pol. finds). Community distribution of the pollinator survey will generate wider applications of surveys across city. Figure 2a: Total pollinator visits per survey were significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
Figure 2b: Honeybee visits per survey were significantly higher in urban areas.
Which Flowers are Most Visited?
Pollinators Across Urban Environments:
Our data can be used to determine which flower types are the most important to the pollinator community by comparing how many pollinating insects visit each plant species. We can also see how pollinators are being affected by invasive plant species, if they prefer to visit natives over invasives, and which invasive species pollinators have learned to utilize. These results can be used to recommend the plant species that are most beneficial for pollinator fitness to gardeners, landscapers, and parks. Surprisingly, we found that 2 of the 3 most visited flower species were nonnative, suggesting that invasive flowers may actually play an important role in this community.
Although NYC is one city, it is not a homogeneous ecosystem. There are differences in extent of urbanization, microclimate, land use, and noise, light, and air pollution across the city that may affect pollinator health. This data can help reveal which parts of the city have low pollinator abundance and why, informing future decisions about urban development that encourage pollinator coexistence. Our surveys found that light exposure (F=7.49, df=2, p<0.001) and landscape type (F=2.85, df=5, p=0.015) significantly influenced the abundance of pollinators.
Table 1: The three most and three least visited flower species from this study, and their native/invasive status in North America.
Figure 3a: Total pollinator visits per survey were significantly higher in full sun than in full shade.
Figure 3b: Total pollinator visits per survey were significantly higher in wooded and grassland areas than in roadside areas.
Works Cited: Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the Wave Hill Woodland Ecology Research Program, Barry Kogan, and Thomas Schindelman for their support and guidance.
1: United Nations World Urbanization Prospects 2018 Revision 2: Wagner, David L., et al. "Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118.2 (2021).
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Description: The western honeybee is the most common species of honeybee worldwide and is the only honeybee species found in New York. Body length is ½-5/8 inch with yellow stripes on abdomen. Eyes on sides of head with ample space separating them. Eyes are not close to touching, as is seen in many flies that mimic the honeybee. Body is hairy, and individuals are often seen carrying bright yellow pollen balls on their hind legs.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Bumblebee (Genus Bombus)
Description: Several bumblebee species are found in NYC, but they all have large, wide bodies that make them highly conspicuous. Bumblebees are very hairy, and can have black, yellow, or red coloration. They often have a large black spot where the wings meet the thorax. Slow moving. Although large in size, they are rarely aggressive, especially if not near their nest.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Bee (other)
Genus Augochloropsis (Metallic sweat bee) Genus Lasioglossum (sweat bee)
Genus Hylaeus (Masked bees)
Genus Xylocopa (Carpenter bees)
Description: Other than the well-known honeybees and bumblebees, there are many other groups of ecologically important, pollinating bees. These include sweat bees, carpenter bees, and leaf-cutter bees. These bees are diverse in their size and coloration, but their eyes will always bee on the sides of their head, not close to touching at the top of their head. They will have relatively long antennae, usually at least as long as their head length. May have yellow or white coloration on abdomen, or be completely black. Some species have a metallic green appearance.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Fly
Dusky winged hoverfly (Ocyptamus fuscipennis)
Family Platypezidae
Genus Condylostylus
(true flies)
Description:
Genus Toxomerus (hoverfly)
Genus Eristalis (hoverfly)
Description: Flies are highly diverse in shape and color, and several have evolved coloration that mimics bees. To identify a fly, look for large eyes that cover a large portion of the head with little space between the eyes at the top of the head. Flies also have much shorter antennae then bees. Flies also tend to hover in one spot for short periods.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Wasp
Family Vespidae (paper wasps)
Thread-waisted wasp
Genus Sphecius (Cicada killer wasps)
Description: Wasps often have yellow and black coloration similar to bees, but wasps are hairless. Wasps also usually have a “thin” or elongated body, with a noticeable pinch between the thorax and the abdomen, giving them an hourglass shaped body. Wasps are aggressive if their nest is threatened, but they will not attack while foraging unless provoked. Give them space and do not swat at them if they fly near you.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Butterfly
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Genus Epargyreus (Flasher butterfly)
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Description: Butterflies have large, conspicuous wings that are often colorful, but can also be plain white or brown. When at rest, butterflies hold their wings vertically along their back, making them touch. Butterflies also have long, thin antennae that end in a club or ball structure. Butterflies are generally diurnal, active in the day and resting at night.
NYC Pollinator ID Guide
Moth
Luna moth (Actias luna)
Description: Moths are primarily nocturnal but you can occasionally find them foraging during the day. Moths hold their wings to the side at rest. Unlike butterflies, moth antennae have a branching, feathered appearance.