Manual Sampling and Video Observations: An Integrated Approach to Studying Flower-Visiting Arthropods in High-Mountain Environments

Bonelli, M.; Melotto, Andrea; Minici, A.; Eustacchio, E.; Gianfranceschi, L.; Gobbi, Mauro; Casartelli, Morena; Caccianiga, Marco

doi:10.3390/insects11120881

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…The Alps are the highest and longest mountain range that lies entirely in Europe, and they host peculiar biodiversity, comprising several endemic plants and arthropods and threatened species [24][25][26][27][28][29]. While a significant body of literature deals with plant diversity, species occurrence, and phenology in the Alps (e.g., [30][31][32][33][34][35]), not many studies have addressed the topic of flower-visiting arthropod communities and abiotic factors impacting their activity in this environment [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. The paucity of information on arthropods is a global issue in studying mountain ecosystems [46,47], although arthropods are the most abundant and diverse group of organisms [48,49] and play crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystem functioning, especially through interactions with plants [50][51][52][53][54][55][56].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Season Community of Flower-Visiting Arthropods in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment

Bonelli

Eustacchio

Avesani

et al. 2022

Insects

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In mountain ecosystems, climate change can cause spatiotemporal shifts, impacting the composition of communities and altering fundamental biotic interactions, such as those involving flower-visiting arthropods. On of the main problems in assessing the effects of climate change on arthropods in these environments is the lack of baseline data. In particular, the arthropod communities on early flowering high-altitude plants are poorly investigated, although the early season is a critical moment for possible mismatches. In this study, we characterised the flower-visiting arthropod community on the early flowering high-altitude Alpine plant, Androsace brevis (Primulaceae). In addition, we tested the effect of abiotic factors (temperature and wind speed) and other variables (time, i.e., hour of the day, and number of flowers per plant) on the occurrence, abundance, and diversity of this community. A. brevis is a vulnerable endemic species growing in the Central Alps above 2000 m asl and flowering for a very short period immediately after snowmelt, thus representing a possible focal plant for arthropods in this particular moment of the season. Diptera and Hymenoptera were the main flower visitors, and three major features of the community emerged: an evident predominance of anthomyiid flies among Diptera, a rare presence of bees, and a relevant share of parasitoid wasps. Temperature and time (hour of the day), but not wind speed and number of flowers per plant, affected the flower visitors’ activity. Our study contributes to (1) defining the composition of high-altitude Alpine flower-visiting arthropod communities in the early season, (2) establishing how these communities are affected by environmental variables, and (3) setting the stage for future evaluation of climate change effects on flower-visiting arthropods in high-altitude environments in the early season.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Season Community of Flower-Visiting Arthropods in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment

Bonelli

Eustacchio

Avesani

et al. 2022

Insects

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“…Many Dipteran species comparing these two methods (human observations and were identified during human observations, but some species, video recordings) when investigating arthropod plantincluding Melangyna sp., foraged away from humans during pollinator networks found differing but complementary the field surveys. Interestingly, native bees were infrequently results between the methods (Bonelli et al 2020). Bonelli captured on DVR, but were present in a large proportion of et al (2020) suggested several factors that may contribute to human observations.…”

Section: Pollination Vectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Floral biology, pollination vectors and breeding system of Zieria granulata (Rutaceae), an endangered shrub endemic to eastern Australia

Lopresti,

Sommerville,

Gilpin

et al. 2023

Aust. J. Bot.

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Context Understanding the factors that influence viable-seed production is crucial in the conservation of threatened plant species, yet these factors are often poorly understood. Aims We investigated the reproductive biology of Zieria granulata C.Moore ex Benth., an endangered Australian endemic with a limited distribution, with the intent of improving conservation and restoration outcomes. Methods Components of floral biology, including floral ontogeny and nectar production, were quantified to determine the pollination syndrome and the likely breeding system. Flower-visitor surveys (using both digital video recordings and human observations), a manipulative wind-pollination experiment and hand-pollination experiments were conducted to investigate pollination vectors and confirm the breeding system. Key results Z. granulata flowers were small, white, protandrous and produced highly ornamented pollen grains and small quantities of nectar; these characteristics suggest that the species fits the general entomophily syndrome. All floral visitors were arthropod species and of the 72 visitors observed, predominantly from the Dipteran and Hymenopteran families, 18 could be regarded as potential pollinators. Failure of simulated wind gusts (40 km h−1) to transport pollen ≥5 cm indicated that anemophily is unlikely for this species. Autonomous and manipulative selfing did not result in viable seed set, indicating that this is an obligate outcrossing species. However, fruit and viable-seed production was highly variable within and among some other treatments. Pre-dispersal seed predation was recorded at all study sites. Conclusions Pre-dispersal seed predation was recorded at all study sites and is a likely factor inhibiting viable-seed production. Implications This knowledge will be used to improve seed yield for collections used for ex situ conservation and restoration programs for the endangered Z. granulata.

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“…Scheduled filming, that is, recording continuously within a fixed schedule, is an alternative to overcome detection issues as no individual is missed during the recording (Bonelli et al., 2020). However, almost all commercial wildlife cameras have limited programmability, cannot film for long durations (usually 60 s) and have limited power (usually eight AA batteries or power grid access required) or data storage (SD card compatibility usually <128 GB).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring fast‐moving animals—Building a customized camera system and evaluation toolset

Wittmann,

Gamal Ibrahim,

Straw

et al. 2024

Methods Ecol Evol

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Automated cameras (including camera traps) are an established observation tool, allowing, for example the identification of behaviours and monitoring without harming organisms. However, limitations including imperfect detection, insufficient data storage and power supply restrict the use of camera traps, making inexpensive and customizable solutions desirable. We describe a camera system and evaluation toolset based on Raspberry Pi computers and YOLOv5 that can overcome those shortcomings with its modular properties. We facilitate the set‐up and modification for researchers via detailed step‐by‐step guides. A customized camera system prototype was constructed to monitor fast‐moving organisms on a continuous schedule. For testing and benchmarking, we recorded mason bees (Osmia cornuta) approaching nesting aids on 20 sites. To efficiently process the extensive video material, we developed an evaluation toolset utilizing the convolutional neural network YOLOv5 to detect bees in the videos. In the field test, the camera system performed reliably for more than a week (2 h per day) under varying weather conditions. YOLOv5 detected and classified bees with only 775 original training images. Overall detection reliability varied depending on camera perspective, site and weather conditions, but a high average detection precision (78%) was achieved, which was confirmed by a human observer (80% of algorithm‐based detections confirmed). The customized camera system mitigates several disadvantages of commercial camera traps by using interchangeable components and incorporates all major requirements a researcher has for working in the field including moderate costs, easy assembly and an external energy source. We provide detailed user guides to bridge the gap between ecology, computer science and engineering.

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Manual Sampling and Video Observations: An Integrated Approach to Studying Flower-Visiting Arthropods in High-Mountain Environments

Cited by 9 publications

References 68 publications

The Early Season Community of Flower-Visiting Arthropods in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment

The Early Season Community of Flower-Visiting Arthropods in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment

Floral biology, pollination vectors and breeding system of Zieria granulata (Rutaceae), an endangered shrub endemic to eastern Australia

Monitoring fast‐moving animals—Building a customized camera system and evaluation toolset

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