I am a BA Zoology third year undergraduate student at Anglia Ruskin University, with a keen interest in understanding how organisms interact within their environment.
During the summer of 2017, I conducted a study to find out how bees are effected by different flower densities in field margins.
This research could be beneficial in gaining a wider perspective on what society can do to aid the prevention of bee loss in the UK. Given the UK’s high proportion of land use for agricultural activity, it is particularly important that we research the benefits of flower field margins on bee populations.
For this study, I observed three different types of field margins across Hope Farm, each with differing flower densities, counting the diversity of bee species, flowering plants, and the number of bee visits to flowers along each field margin.
As expected, I counted over 85% of the total bee species on field margins with a higher flower density and diversity compared to those of just grass.
Studying ecological based modules at university and participating in the British Ecological Society Summer School, I discovered my passion for conservation biology. Over the next few years, I hope to expand my understanding in the practical applications of preserving biological diversity through a postgraduate Master's degree.
Ultimately, I want to pursue a career in ecological consultancy and feel that this experience at Hope Farm has enabled me to improve my research skills through working independently.
I am currently analyzing data to start writing my dissertation within the next few weeks. If you would like further information on my dissertation journey, feel free to follow me on twitter to see regular updates and findings - @soph_chowder
Images by Sophie Chaudhari.