Colm O'Leary

Project title: Designing effective agri-environment measures for solitary bees in Ireland.

Overview: Pollinating insects, particularly bees, have been identified as keystone species, due to the pollination services they supply and the additional ecosystem services they support. However, one third of Ireland’s 100 wild bee species are under threat, with intensification and homogenisation of agricultural landscapes considered the principal driver of this concerning trend.

Colm’s research focuses on the nesting and foraging ecology of solitary bees in Ireland with an aim to design cost-effective, evidence-based pollinator conservation strategies that can be incorporated into future agri-environmental schemes.

Before starting a PhD, Colm worked for an environmental consultancy as an Ecologist for 4 years, working on ecological impact assessments and biodiversity management plans for a wide range of clients. Colm has experience in GIS, statistical analysis using R, and invertebrate taxonomy.

Programme Area: Environment, Soils, and Land Use

Supervisors: Dr Stephanie Maher, Dr Daire Ó hUallacháin, Dr Simon Hodge (UCD), and Prof Jane Stout (TCD)

Location: Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford

Funding Source: Teagasc