SC Wednesday Talk: Speaker: Sandra Rehan, Biology, York U Title: “Diversity, Decline and Sustainability of Wild Bees”, January 11, 2023, 2-4pm

January 11, 2023

Speaker: Sandra Rehan, Biology, York U

Title: “Diversity, Decline and Sustainability of Wild Bees”

Introducer: Daphne Maurer

Abstract: Understanding the nutritional requirements of wild bees is essential for their conservation. Remarkably little is known about wild bee habitat requirements, floral preference, and the nutritional value of pollen resources. Here I provide the first characterization of plant diversity utilized by abundant and widespread native pollinators revealing diet breadth and pollen preference. I will share an overview of the native bees found locally, that are also widespread across eastern North America, and information on their natural history, nesting biology, habitat preferences and floral associations. Combined these data provide a holistic perspective on wild bee habitat and nutrition including plant-pollinator networks and microbial communities. Recent biodiversity surveys and historical data will be presented as well as status assessments of native bees and plans for sustainable solutions to problems affecting bee health.

Bio: Sandra Rehan (Associate Professor, Department of Biology, York University) is an international leader in the molecular ecology and behavioural genetics of bees. Her research combines comparative genomics and socio-demography to provide critical insights into the diversity, decline and sustainability of wild bees. She is advancing understanding of the causes of wild bee declines by developing comprehensive wild bee population genomic and disease ecology models. She works with a range of community partners, government and non-government organizations to implement critical conservation strategies. Awards and honours recognizing her work include: Member of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) in 2022; NSERC EWR Memorial Steacie Fellow (2021-2023); Fellow of the Linnean Society (2021); Fellow of Royal Entomological Society (2019); National Geographic Explorer (2015-2016); TEDx Fellow (2015); the International Union for the Study of Social Insect’s Eickwort Award for Research Excellence (2011). Her research, funded by agencies including NSERC, NSF, USDA, NERC, National Geographic, Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, and Mitacs, is published in peer-reviewed venues including Nature Communications, American Naturalist, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Molecular Ecology. She is the author of two recent public education books, titled Wild Bees of New England and Wild Bees of Eastern North America: a guide to common pollinators and flowers. She is supported by the Weston Family Foundation Microbiome Initiative and acting Director of the Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation.

The link to register is https://forms.office.com/r/jkngy51fH6 .The deadline to register is the Monday before the event at noon. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants only.