Thesis supervisor: Zoltán (ATK NÖVI) Tóth
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Department of Zoology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research (ELKH) Abbreviation of location of studies: ELKH
Description of the research topic:
Bumblebees are important pollinators in both natural and agricultural habitats. In the last decades, wild and managed populations of bumblebees have been declining, leading to reduced pollinating service in many (agro)ecosystems and local extinctions worldwide. The most important factors responsible for such adverse trends include extreme weather conditions caused by climate change and the application of pesticides that exert toxic effects not only on the targeted pests but also on non-target organisms including Apoidea pollinators. Due to recent regulation changes, acetamiprid has become the only neonicotinoid substance that can be used without restrictions and in open-field cultivations in the European Union. Yet, we know little about how this active ingredient affects bumblebees’ foraging decisions and if such effects are similarly detrimental to those of other neonicotinoids. Recently, we showed that chronic exposure to a high but field-realistic concentration of acetamiprid negatively alters bumblebees’ foraging decisions. Building on the new findings, the doctoral student will use individual-based models (in R and NetLogo) to explore the additive and multiplicative effects of altered foraging behaviour, predicted climate change scenarios and exposure patterns on population stability and persistence in buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris). The simulated agricultural landscapes will consist of acetamiprid-treated and untreated resource patches that are simultaneously present and change temporally and/or spatially within and/or over years.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: programming skills
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2023-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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