SHOWCASE member Dr. Ignasi Bartomeus (CSIC) opened the 8th Spanish Society of Applied Entomology (SEEA) Conference 2024 in Gijon, Spain on 7-11 October. 

There, he presented his work on the conservation of pollinators in agricultural landscapes, as part of the project. In his presentation, Dr Bartomeus discussed the geographical context of Spain being a biodiversity hotspot with over 1000 bee species, which plays a crucial role in pollination, thus supporting the reproduction of 86% of flowering plants, including many economically important crops. However, bee populations are under threat from habitat loss, exotic pathogens and climate change.

Furthermore, Dr. Bartomeus addressed the paradox that agriculture, while being a threat to pollinators, also presents opportunities for their conservation. He emphasised the complexity of understanding which pollinators provide critical ecosystem services and how this varies by crop and region. By presenting data from the SHOWCASE project's Spanish Experimental Biodiversity Areas (EBAs), Dr. Bartomeus highlighted the socio-economic context in which biodiversity conservation operates in agricultural systems. He called for a comprehensive approach that considers not only the ecological component but also the role of European agricultural policies and societal motivation for biodiversity conservation.

Image: Dr. Ignasi Bartomeus presenting SHOWCASE at Plenaria SEEA, Spain

Dr. Bartomeus’ presentation underscored the importance of integrating nature conservation into humanised landscapes, demonstrating the potential for pollinator-friendly agricultural practices to enhance both biodiversity and crop productivity.

Image: Dr. Ignasi Bartomeus opening the 8th Spanish Society of Applied Entomology Conference, Spain