Monitoring the Impact

Pollinator habitats are diverse plantings made up of mostly native plants. Each plant in a pollinator habitat is selected for its ability to thrive in the challenging landscape of monoculture agriculture. Each plant also plays a critical role in the support of pollinators and beneficial insects by providing pollen, nectar and nest materials. 

The image on the right represents the monitoring results from a 100 foot long transect in a multi-row hedgerow in an almond orchard complex in Kerman, CA. In only 7.5 minutes of monitoring, over 100 pollinating insects (bees, syrphid flies and beneficial wasps) and over 50 predators of crop pests a.k.a. natural enemies (syrphid flies, beneficial wasps, lady beetles, pirate bugs and spiders) were observed.

Pollinator habitats are spread out throughout a farming operation. Xerces Society works with growers to plant up to 5% of their production acreage in habitat. For those that reach that goal, they may qualify for Bee Better Certification.

Each pollinator habitat is designed to meet the needs and constraints of the farming operation. It maximizes resources provided to pollinators (nectar, pollen and nest materials) while existing in balance with the agroecosystem around it. This maximizes its longevity and benefits to the landscape through services such as carbon sequestration, erosion control and improved soil health. 

The hedgerow on the right was planted on an irrigation canal bank in Meridian, CA . When fields are fallow due to normal crop cycling for tomatoes and row vegetables, hedgerows provide crucial resources to wild pollinators and beneficial insects. Hedgerows like this one also have complex root systems, which pull carbon into the soil, increase water holding capacity and help stabilize the irrigation canal bank.