Project Number: 5428-21000-013-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2007
End Date: Sep 14, 2009

Objective:
The objectives of this study are to evaluate the economic impact of pollinators on production costs, crop yield and preservation of natural areas. Specifically, these will include: (a) cost efficiency of pollination by bees; (b) pollination efficiency; (c) value of a constant supply of the crop to the market as measured by the value of a stable market to the grower and the value of stable availability to consumers; (d) value of pollination in preservation/restoration projects; and (e) value of biodiversity in bees.

Approach:
Methods used for objective (a) and (b) will compare the cost and quality of bee production, pollination, and crop yield, and (c) will include an economic estimate of risk reduction resulting from better pollination systems. Methods used for objective (d) will include an economic estimate of the profitability of wild seed production of plants that require pollination. Where possible, IMPLAN will be applied to conduct regional impact analysis. Estimating the value of objective (e) may be difficult. Economic methods will be applied as appropriate.