Immense numbers of introduced honey bees overwhelm native pollinators for access to pollen and nectar By Mario Aguilera, UC San Diego Hike around the natural habitats of San Diego County and it becomes abundantly clear that honey bees, foreign to the area, are everywhere. In a study published last year, researchers at the University of California […]
Elliott Chaparral Reserve
Role of honey bees in ecosystem pollination
by Mario Aguilera, UC San Diego An unprecedented study integrating data from around the globe has shown that honey bees are the world’s most important single species of pollinator in natural ecosystems and a key contributor to natural ecosystem functions. The first quantitative analysis of its kind, led by biologists at the University of California […]
Building respect for science
Q&A with Heather Henter, UC San Diego Natural Reserve System By Emily Loui and Mario Aguilera Tell us about the UC Natural Reserve System and your role at UC San Diego. The UC Natural Reserve System (NRS) is a network of 39 (soon to be 40) largely undisturbed properties across the state, set aside to […]
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem stability
The idea that natural communities rich in species are healthier and more productive has been an axiom in ecology for decades. The theory has been cited to support conservation programs and other efforts to maintain the complexity of natural systems. But hard evidence for this relationship has been tough to come by. The dynamics of […]