This section describes the main products generated by project activities. Some of these can be found in the “Materials” section of this web site as they become available.
P1.1 – Pollination indicators and criteria for monitoring of rural green infrastructure
With a view of extending rural GI and monitoring throughout the region, some measures for benchmarking and monitoring must be established; these measures will be oriented towards feasibility and replicability.
The project will establish reference values for the provision of ecosystem services associated with pollinators in oilseed crops for Southwestern Europe. This will include a description of these indicators and specific ecological information about the organisms involved.
P1.2 – Territorial analysis of the deployment and impact of rural green infrastructure
The potential for expansion of the rural GI is evaluated, as well as its impact.
For each pilot region, cartographic models will contemplate the expansion of rural GI in the landscape, including possible synergies with Natura2000 areas, and impact on selected ecosystem services.
P1.3 – Pollinator model for management of pollinators and their services in oilseed crops
The natural world is very complex, and a great multitude of factors influence the abundance of pollinators and the services they provide to society. This complexity will be addressed in the project by developing an advanced statistical predictive model.
The responses of bees to anthropic factors will be analyzed in the study regions using data on environmental parameters, farm management (including a wide variety of potential practices such as crop management/choice/rotation, use of plant protection products, etc.), information on bee hives and their health, etc. The model developed will be able to evaluate and predict the responses of pollinators to changes in the landscape. It will serve as a predictive management tool for practitioners and authorities in order to define the best strategies to balance provision of the pollination service.
P2.1 – Regional flower mixture guide
Pollinators depend on floral resources. The distribution of resources and abundance of flowers is of decisive importance for wild and cultivated bees, especially including wildflowers. POLL-OLE-GI will produce a management guide for flower resources integrated into intensive agriculture. This will include a recommended mix of commercially-available seed.
Since the optimal floral mixture varies with location due to climatic and biogeographical differences, recommendations are considered on a regional basis. A technical guide will be produced as a tool for beekeepers, farmers and their associations, and public agricultural services.
P2.2 – Soil mixture design
Agriculture is a significant source of environmental pollutants including nutrients and different agrochemicals. POLL-OLE-GI will design and test different soil amendments which can be useful to protect pollinators and the environment.
Soil and vegetation within green infrastructure helps filter and decontaminate environmental contaminants: this function can be enhanced with the integration of soil amendments. POLL-OLE-GI will test both specialized and commonly-available organic amendments for their potential to filter nutrients, pesticides and herbicides.
P2.3 – Technical summary
Summary of the main findings of the technical aspects of the project.
POLL-OLE-GI uses different technical approaches, including testing and development of techniques in the laboratory, glasshouse, field, and empirical modeling exercises based on data gathered in the project. This technical summary will synthesize the empirical knowledge evaluating different management options, landscape configurations, and types of green infrastructure for their effect on the pollination service and the production of crops and bee products.
P2.4 – Dissemination network
POLL-OLE-GI will set up a dissemination network among famers and beekeepers to spread project results.
Many POLL-OLE-GI products and results are oriented towards farmers and beekeepers; a network will be created to spread this valuable knowledge.
P2.5 – Socioeconomic study
The measures proposed within the project will be evaluated for their socioeconomic impact.
In a participative approach with stakeholders, POLL-OLE-GI will evaluate issues of particular needs and problems which are economic, social, and environmental. Also, the same stakeholder groups will receive project products which aid them in decision-making regarding green infrastructure.
P3.1 – Policy guide
POLL-OLE-GI will aid decision-makers to understand rural green infrastructure and its future within agricultural policy on the national and European scales.
POLL-OLE-GI proposes that European and national policy should include a greater explicit contemplation of rural green infrastructure and protection of pollinators: a multitude of POLL-OLE-GI products are oriented towards this goal. The project results are summarized for policy-makers, and analysis of potential for future integration is presented.
P3.2 – Technical guide
POLL-OLE-GI will aid practitioners and stakeholders to implement rural green infrastructure and pollinator protection.
A multitude of POLL-OLE-GI products are created for the planning and deployment of rural green infrastructure associated with oilseed crops and supporting pollinators. These are to be synthesized into a manual for distribution to potential investors in the project regions and beyond.
P3.3 – Technical workshops
POLL-OLE-GI will organize targeted technical workshops with stakeholders to transfer results.
Individuals or groups pertaining to specific stakeholder sectors – more precisely, those identified as potential investors in rural green infrastructure – will be invited to technical workshops for the explanation of project products and results and how these can be used.
P3.4 – Project film
A film will improve communication of the problems addressed by POLL-OLE-GI and the approach used.
The film will discuss the problems addressed by the project and document the project’s approach and activities.
P3.5 – Citizen science tools and projects
Citizen involvement is important for creating awareness about the decline of pollinators and changes which must be introduced to recover ecosystem services.
Special activities will be programmed at the French Poitou-Charentes ZA-PVS to link citizens, farmers, and beekeepers. The aim is to get the public in touch with farming and beekeeping and help them understand the value of green infrastructure.