The impact of Quebec cranberry agricultural practices on pollinator diversity

The relationship between agriculture and pollination plays a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, food production, and biodiversity conservation. One important agricultural sector in Canada that heavily relies on pollination is the Quebec cranberry industry with many farmers renting managed bees to maximize crop yield. However, environmental stressors are causing declines in these populations with agricultural intensification being a key contributor. Therefore, by encouraging farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices that promote the conservation and diversity of wild pollinators, farmers can take advantage of the efficient and free pollination services they provide. My project aims to determine how current agricultural practices within Quebec cranberry farms impact the taxonomic and functional diversity of wild bee and flower fly pollinators. In collaboration with local cranberry farmers and the Quebec Cranberry Growers Association, insect samples were collected using butterfly net transects, pan traps, and blue vane traps in the Centre-du-Québec region. My research will be the first step to promoting a diverse wild pollinator community and pave the future for a more sustainable cranberry industry.