Insect fauna is experiencing a dramatic decline on a global scale for several decades. Since around 80% of all wild plants and 75% of crops are insect-dependent, the insect decline is increasingly causing gaps in pollination. As a result, honeybees and domesticated wild bees such as bumblebees and mason bees are increasingly used in agricultural crops. However, studies have shown that an excessive introduction of managed bees can have negative effects on naturally occurring wild pollinators (e.g., competition for limited resources), as well as on wild plants and crops. We aim at establishing a novel, non-invasive approach with environmental DNA. With this assessment method, we are able to also track changes in complex insect networks based on differential pollinator competition. The findings gained from surveys on commercial farms in relation to variable landscape gradients are complemented with studies on the FiBL research farm and data gained in the laboratory for detecting causalities. We aim at developing targeted management strategies to optimize against competitive pressures among pollinators involving managed honey and wild bees as well as naturally occurring species that we consider to be necessary to ensure long standing crop pollination. The overall goal is to contribute to a more sustainable agriculture by promoting existing biodiversity implemented in current farming practice.
