What is the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas?
The Atlas is a community science project aimed at tracking and conserving Missouri's native bumble bees. "Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs. The Atlas is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Conservation, Xerces Society, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and the University of Missouri.
How does the Atlas work?
Community scientists, like yourself, spread out across Missouri to survey for bumble bees and are asked to report back whatever you find! We offer workshops online that provide you with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to run surveys independently. Surveys can be run on your own or with a small group of people if it safe to do so. Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed, and data collection can be done on your phone.
To fully understand how Missouri's diverse landscapes relate to bumble bees, such as the Ozarks, woodlands and prairies, we need widespread participation. The success of the Atlas will come from land owners, agencies, scientists and you joining together to understand the needs of bumble bees.
Why focus on bumble bees?
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
Missouri is home to 11 different species of bumble bees, a few of which face an uncertain future and have not been seen in the state for nearly twenty years. A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. That’s where the Atlas comes in.
Why is the Atlas valuable?
In working together, career and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of Missouri's bumble bees! Our team of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. For example, we'll be able to use the data to identify regions in Missouri that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.
With your help, we can quickly cover the entire state, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our effort will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations.
Ready to get involved? See Requirements
The Atlas is a community science project aimed at tracking and conserving Missouri's native bumble bees. "Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs. The Atlas is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Conservation, Xerces Society, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and the University of Missouri.
How does the Atlas work?
Community scientists, like yourself, spread out across Missouri to survey for bumble bees and are asked to report back whatever you find! We offer workshops online that provide you with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to run surveys independently. Surveys can be run on your own or with a small group of people if it safe to do so. Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed, and data collection can be done on your phone.
To fully understand how Missouri's diverse landscapes relate to bumble bees, such as the Ozarks, woodlands and prairies, we need widespread participation. The success of the Atlas will come from land owners, agencies, scientists and you joining together to understand the needs of bumble bees.
Why focus on bumble bees?
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
Missouri is home to 11 different species of bumble bees, a few of which face an uncertain future and have not been seen in the state for nearly twenty years. A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. That’s where the Atlas comes in.
Why is the Atlas valuable?
In working together, career and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of Missouri's bumble bees! Our team of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. For example, we'll be able to use the data to identify regions in Missouri that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.
With your help, we can quickly cover the entire state, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our effort will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations.
Ready to get involved? See Requirements