In the Hauts-de-France region, legumes remain underrepresented in crop rotations—but they hold untapped potential to support biodiversity. Faba beans, in particular, can provide vital floral resources such as nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, especially pollinators, during critical periods. As insect populations continue to decline, enhancing the availability of these resources is more urgent than ever.
Pilot Study 8 explores the role of Faba beans in supporting pollinators, using the honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a biological model. The study examines the nutritional quality of Faba bean pollen and its impact on bee foraging behavior, comparing it to pollen from other cultivated and wild plant species. By understanding how legumes contribute to ecosystem services like pollinator support, this study will help build the case for their wider adoption in sustainable farming systems.
Specific objectives include:
- Correlate changes in bee diet with the diversity and composition of surrounding plant species.
- Analyse the protein, lipid, and amino acid content of Faba bean pollen.
- Compare the nutritional quality of Faba bean pollen to that of other major crops and wild species.
- Investigate whether pollen quality influences the composition of the honeybee diet.