U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research: Pollinator Loss in a Isolated Population of Primula seiboldii

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9416914 Thomson This award supports a two-year cooperative research project between Dr. James Thomson of the State University of New York at Stonybrook and Professor Izumi Washitani of the University of Tsukuba. This project represents a collaboration of a Japanese botanist and an American bee ecologist to investigate the reproductive failure of a native Japanese plant, the primrose Primula seiboldii. This plant experiences seed-set failure in an urban reserve north of Tokyo and a variety of evidence suggests that this is because native bumble bees have disappeared from the area. The first, fundamental aspect of the this project is to extend this evidence and then test the hypothesis rigorously by temporarily bringing bumble bee colonies to the reserve. The second, applied aspect involves re-establishing a self- sustaining population of bumble bees and preparing a management plan. The proposal brings together research scientists from two countries working in the area of ecosystem studies and conservation biology. The U.S. scientist will have the opportunity to become familiar with researchers and research practices at the University of Tsukuba. Therefore, this proposal fuldills the objectives of the Program in its exchange and transfer of scientific knowledge through an international collaboration. ***