Progress 02/01/24 to 01/16/25
Outputs
Target Audience: This project targeted students, other scientists, agricultural industries (e.g. orchard bee and other solitary bee managers for crop pollination), scientific journal editors, stakeholders, policy and decision-makers, conservation organizations, and the public via mentorship and teaching, peer-reviewed scientific publications (2-3), outreach materials (fact sheet for the Orchard Bee Association and other venues), and presentations at academic and stakeholder conferences (2-4). Changes/Problems:The primary change to the project has been the need to transfer the award to a new institution due to my acceptance of a faculty position at a new university. This transfer will ensure the successful completion of the project. This change does not represent a deviation from the original research goals, data management plan, or approved protocols, and no significant delays or unexpected outcomes have occurred to date. The timeline and objectives remain on track for completion as initially planned. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided numerous opportunities for training and professional development that have enhanced the PD'sskills as a researcher, mentor, and educator. Key areas of growth include (1)Research skills development: I gained skillsin both organismal and molecular biology techniques. Specifically, I have been trained in larval bee assay techniques, RNA extraction, preparing samples for sequencing, and managing large-scale experiments.These skills will directly support my career as an independent researcher focusing on environmental stressors and bees. (2)Mentorship and student training:Imentored undergraduate students in laboratory and field techniques, focusing specifically on developing their understanding of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. (3)Conference presentations and networking:Participation in the Orchard Bee Association annual meeting allowed me to present research results to key stakeholders, as well as receive feedback and build connections with other bee researchers and stakeholders. I plan to present the results of this research at additional conferences to further broaden my professional network.(4)Workshops and professional development:I participated in diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops, as well as teaching-focused seminars, to strengthen my skills in creating inclusive learning environments and engaging students in research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Efforts to share the findings of this project have targeted both academic and stakeholder communities, ensuring broad dissemination of results and fostering collaboration. Key dissemination activities include (1)Conference presentations:I presented preliminary research findings at the Orchard Bee Association annual conference in September 2024. This conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and agricultural industry stakeholders involved in pollinator health and orchard bee management.(2)Manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications:I am in the process of preparing manuscripts for both objectives of this project. These publications will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the effects of climate change on solitary bees and reach the broader scientific community and general public.(3)Engagement with stakeholders:This project has fostered dialogue with orchard bee managers and bee researchers through conference presentations and informal discussions. Preliminary findings have informed conversations about the potential impacts of climate change on pollination services and how populations of O. lignaria may respond differently to environmental stressors.(4)Educational integration:In my new position, I am incorporating findingsfrom this project into undergraduate teaching and research opportunities, ensuring that students gain first-hand exposure to current research on bee biology and climate change. This integration will not only disseminate knowledge but also inspire the next generation of scientists to address pressing ecological challenges. As the project progresses, I will continue to prioritize opportunities for sharing findings and fostering collaborations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I will complete the remaining objectives of this project at my new institutionfollowing the transfer of the award. The transfer will allow me to finalize data collection, conduct analyses, and disseminate the findings, ensuring that the project's goals are fully accomplished. My plans are outlined below: Objective 1: Determine the impacts of heatwaves on organismal responses In spring 2025, following the grant transfer, I will collect data on adult morphology and ovary development from O. lignaria individuals that are currently in their winter dormancy period. These metrics are critical for assessingfitness impacts of heatwave exposure during development.I will conduct statistical analyses to evaluate developmental rates, survival, and adult fitness traits across populations (California, Washington, Utah) and heatwave treatments. I will write a manuscript for this objective, addressing ecological implications and the role of developmental timing and local adaptation andin shaping thermal tolerance in solitary bees. Objective 2: Identify molecular mechanisms associated with heat stress and resilience during development Following receipt of RNA-seq data (expected this month), I will analyze the data to identify molecular mechanisms underlying heatwave impacts.This work will focus on population-level and life-stage-specific differences in gene expression in relation to heatwave exposure treatments.I will write a manuscript for this objective, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress resilience. Dissemination of Findings: I will present final results from both objectives at scientific conferences, including the Ecological Society of America, Entomological Society of America, and Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meetings. (2) I will submit manuscripts to scientific journals for publication. (3) As a professor, I will incorporate project findings into undergraduate courses and research projects, engaging students in hands-on learning about pollinator biology, climate resilience, and molecular ecology. This will contribute to the broader impacts of the project by enhancing scientific literacy and fostering student involvement in research. (4)Building on previous presentations and discussions, I will continue engaging with stakeholders, such as orchard bee managers and conservation practitioners, to translate the findings into actionable strategies for bee conservation and habitat management.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project has advanced our understanding of how blue orchard bees(Osmia lignaria)respond to heatwave exposure.By investigating the organismal and molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress resilience, this research contributes to both fundamental knowledge and practical applications for pollinator conservation. The outcomes have the potential to inform conservation strategies, guide management practices for pollinators in agricultural systems, and enhance societal awareness of heatwave impacts. The project has also created educational opportunities for undergraduate students. Objective 1: Determine the impacts of heatwaves on organismal responses. (1) Major activities completed /experiments conducted / data collected:I conducted a comprehensive experiment exposing O. lignaria from three populations (California, Washington, Utah) to simulated heatwave conditions during early development. Data on developmental rates and stage-specific survival were collected for each population under multiple heatwave treatments and control conditions throughout the experiment.Bees from this experiment are currently overwintering, and final data on adult morphology and ovary development will be collected in spring 2025.I presented preliminary findings from my heatwave researchat the Orchard Bee Association annual conference, fostering stakeholder engagement and scientific discussion.(2) Summary statistics and discussion of results:Preliminary analysis from Objective 1 revealed regional differences in developmentand stage-specific differences in heatwave responses, suggesting that local adaptation, heatwave timing, and heatwave intensity may play a role in thermal resilience. These results indicate that population-level variation and the specific timing and intensity of extreme heat events could influence organismal responses, with implications for conservation strategies and applied management. (3) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized:This project has generated new insights into the developmental and survival responses of O. lignaria to heatwaves. Preliminary findings shared at the Orchard Bee Association conference may influence future discussions on pollinator management and climate adaptation strategies, particularly for managed populations of O. lignaria. The knowledge gained from this research can be applied to enhance pollinator conservation practices, contributing to ecosystem health and agricultural productivity. Objective 2: Identify molecular mechanisms associated with heat stress and resilience during development. (1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted / data collected:During the experiment described in Objective 1, I flash-frozeO. lignariaat six developmental stages from different regional populations and heatwave treatments. I prepared RNA samplesfrom 126 individual bees and submitted the samples for sequencing. Sequencing data is anticipated this month, which will enable bioinformatic analysis. (2) Key outcomes: The results of these data are expected to yield critical insights into molecular mechanisms underlying bee resistance to heatwaves. This analysis will address a significant knowledge gap in solitary bee biology, with broader implications for understanding thermal resilience across pollinator species, with potential to influence future conservation and policy efforts.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Stuligross, C., Melone, G.G., Primack, A.S., and Williams, N.M. "Summer heatwaves impact Osmia lignaria pupal survival and gene expression" September 27, 2024. Oral Presentation, Orchard Bee Association Annual Meeting.
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