General information
The use of nesting boxes for rare species is an universal example for preserving nature. Generally nesting boxes for different birds species are used.
But nesting boxes exists also for bumble-bees. ( Built your own nesting box). But there occurs a problem, which exists also for other animals: A species will be promoted by using the nesting box and it will produce much more descendants than other species in the nature are producing. This can be negative for all rare species or for species, where it is difficult to settle them down in an nesting box. Because of that the employment of nesting boxes are at least suspicious and can be even negative.
Method
The pupils can learn independent. They use a story about the bumble-bee Bombus terrestris "Paula" (worksheet). Bombus terrestris is very often in Germany but you can use any other species, which is common. Paula will be held in a nesting box, while a neighbouring Bombus ruderatus state, which is very rare, must exist under essential contrary conditions.
The worksheet
The worksheet was used several times succesful, even in an exame from a visitor of this homepage. In 2006 it was downloaded for more than 700 times.
Answers / discussion
The pupils recognize quickly, that the chance to survive is much lower for species, who arenīt living in nesting boxes, and that there deposit is even endangered. Arguments are higher costs for energy- and ressources from B. ruderatus, because of the essential worse possibilities to regulate the nest-clima, because of the additional wax to seal the nest, because of the urgency for more often repairs and because of the more often defence against enemys. Furthermore the provision of nectar in the nest is more less, because the nectar in the flowers is getting less because of the foraging of the numerous B. terrestris animals. Moreover the nectar for increase canīt be used in a comparable way, because he is burned to regulate the clima.
So far the lessons experience shows, that the pupils can independent define rules for a real oecological way for the use of a nesting box. The use of a nesting box is generally good for rare species. If there exists no rare species, the use isnīt also problematic.
The worksheet shows some more indications in the text, so the possibility exists, to speak about much more ways to protect the bumble bees. For example a garden with flowers, who bloom in spring and summer, would help both species.
At least the pupils are usally interested to the opionion od the teacher. I think, this opinion shouldnīt be in the foreground. Because of that, I adduce another argument for the use of a nesting box: The enourmes will of visitors or neighbors to understand, what the box is like. Thea are really very interested to get informations about the bumble bees and there problems and I think, the following talk is more helpful than any brochure. At least because of this, even an empty nesting box is a contribution to protext the bumble bees :-).
Download
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Deutsche Version.