AlpsLife - Monitoring pollinators

AlpsLife – Work Package 2

Activity 2.1 Identifying taxon-based indicators or indices within terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the Alpine region

Activity 2.2 Collecting existing monitoring schemes and approaches in the EUSALP for the selected ecological taxa-based indicators or indices

Coordinator of the Working Group Pollinators:

Elia Guariento, Eurac Research                                                                 

Members:

Chiara Paniccia, Eurac Research

Michela Corsini, Eurac Research

Kilian Frühholz, Berchtesgaden National Park

Sebastian König, Berchtesgaden National Park

Johannes Rüdisser, University of Innsbruck

Cristiana Cerrato, Gran Paradiso National Park

Simona Bonelli, University of Torino

Contributors: Michele Bresadola & Mathilde Maure, Eurac Research

Abstract

Insect pollination is a critical, yet endangered, ecosystem service. While over 90% of angiosperm plants rely on animal vectors for reproduction, insects stand as the most abundant and diverse group among pollinators. However, various biotic and abiotic factors have caused a concerning decrease in both the abundance and diversity of pollinating insects. Given that such a decline of pollinators is linked to various factors – including land management, habitat configuration, pesticide use and climate change – urgent action is imperative. The European Union has recently implemented targeted conservation measures and policies aimed at unifying initiatives across member states to fight this alarming pollinating insects decline. Among these measures, the “Biodiversity Strategy 2030” sets the ambitious targets to protect 30% of Europe’s territory by recovering at least 10% of agricultural land to high biodiversity landscapes (i.e., Nature Restoration Regulation) and by recovering 20% of degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. Ultimately, all European ecosystems must be restored by 2050. However, despite the development of European regulations and collaborative conservation efforts, we still lack a cohesive and standardized approach to monitor and preserve pollinating insects in Europe. Here, we propose a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at gathering detailed information on methods and techniques currently in use across the European [A1] [CM2] Alps to monitor four key groups of pollinating insects: Butterflies, Moths, Syrphidae and Bees. Questionnaires’ results from within a 50km buffer of the Alpine Convention perimeter will establish a benchmark for harmonizing practices to comprehensively monitor pollinating insects across the European Alps.

AlpsLife: Questionnaire to gather insights about pollinators’ monitoring methods and techniques in use across the European Alps, and data storage and availability

About AlpsLife: It is a project co-funded by the Interreg Alpine Space 2021-2027 programme (ERDF). Actions to preserve biodiversity are often inconsistent and lack overall planning, which prevents effective conservation actions on a transnational level. AlpsLife therefore aims at establishing a common framework to ensure interoperability between different datasets and their monitoring scheme, facilitating cross-national strategies. Building up on an innovative approach on data-sharing coordination, the project assesses Alpine biodiversity trends, creating a mutual understanding of biodiversity processes to ensure consistent conservation decisions across borders. Additional information can be found on the website Interreg Alpine Space AlpsLife.

This survey seeks to gather data on the biodiversity monitoring programs[JR1] [cr2] [CM3]  and schemes for pollinators [cr4] implemented by organizations active in the field. The primary focus is on the methods used for data collection to understand existing practices. The goal is to identify opportunities for harmonizing monitoring methods across the Alps, facilitating a more coordinated and standardized approach to biodiversity monitoring. For this survey, monitoring[cr5]  is understood as a periodic and standardized data collection or measurement in a specific sample area aiming to highlight changes in any form of biodiversity.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Purpose of Data Collection

The personal data collected, stored and processed through this form, including your name, organization, and email address, will be used exclusively within the context of the Interreg Alpine Space programme, the AlpsLife project and eventual follow-up projects. This collection of data from stakeholders will legitimate interest pursued by the AlpsLife project for outreach activities and exchanges of information across countries.

This privacy statement explains the reason for the processing of your personal data, the way we collect, handle and ensure protection of all personal data provided, how that information is used and what rights you have in relation to your personal data. It also specifies the contact details of the responsible Data Controller with whom you may exercise your rights.

Mode of Data Processing

*Survey name* servers are based in the European Union and therefore answer to EU legislations. The European Commission is committed to protecting your personal data and to respecting your privacy. All personal data will be collected, stored and processed in accordance to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (Text with EEA relevance). In addition, personal data transferred from the European Union to Switzerland continues to benefit from adequate data protection safeguards, as data protection frameworks in Switzerland have further converged with the EU’s framework. Your data will not be shared with third parties beyond the scope of the project without your explicit consent.

Please note that the AlpsLife project is not responsible for the privacy policies or practices carried out by the people or organizations using the *survey name* application and service. All personal data collected within such a survey will be processed by and under the responsibility of *survey name*’s own policy privacy which you can find here.

Use of Contact Information

The gathered information will be used for the following purposes:

1.      To gather insights and evaluations regarding biodiversity data and monitoring efforts, as well as policymaking;

2.      To identify and engage experts in specific areas, such as data provisioning, monitoring schemes, and policy-making relevant to biodiversity monitoring in the Alpine macro-region;

3.      To facilitate collaboration among stakeholders involved in biodiversity monitoring and governance within the Alpine region.

Personal Rights

Your personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes of the AlpsLife project outlined above as well as the ones of the Interreg Alpine Space programme.

As a participant, you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

·      The right to access your personal data.

·      The right to request rectification of inaccurate data.

·      The right to request erasure of your personal data.

·      The right to restrict the processing of your personal data.

·      The right to data portability.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your personal data or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us at mathilde.maure@eurac.edu, michele.bresadola@eurac.edu and valerio.comple@eurac.edu.

You may also exercise your right to withdraw your consent by contacting the Data Controller using the contact form of *survey name*.

Duration of Data Storage

Without exercise of your right to withdraw your consent, your data will be stored for the duration of the AlpsLife project and according to the data storage policy of *survey name*.

By providing your information, you consent to the collection and use of your personal data as described in this statement and in accordance with *survey name* privacy policy.

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