Life History and Landscape Factors Influencing the Choice of Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures Aimed at Reducing Impacts to the Rusty Patched Bumblebee (Bombus affinis) in Transportation Corridors

Jason, Robinson; Moshe, Piltz

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130368 Copy

Description

Title

Life History and Landscape Factors Influencing the Choice of Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures Aimed at Reducing Impacts to the Rusty Patched Bumblebee (Bombus affinis) in Transportation Corridors

Author(s)

• Jason, Robinson
• Moshe, Piltz

Issue Date

2025-11

Keyword(s)

• Bombus affinis
• Rusty Patched Bumblebee
• Right-of-Way
• Recovery Plan
• Avoidance
• Minimization
• Mitigation
• Conservation
• Vegetation Management

Date of Ingest

2025-11-17T15:48:22-06:00

Abstract

The federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) provides a difficult set of challenges for management and conservation. Bumblebee species have complex life histories, interacting with different obligatory habitat requirements across the ontogeny of the colony. Transportation corridors present unique opportunities for interventions to configure the quality and spatial configuration of local bumblebee habitats. We identify the particular vulnerabilities of an RPBB colony in each life history stage and how avoidance, minimization, and mitigation actions can be designed at each stage to meet project-specific objectives. We offer suggested mitigation actions that target specific objectives in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Species Recovery Plan for Rusty Patched Bumblebee.” Finally, we identify information gaps that could be filled with targeted scientific research to answer questions relevant to the management of bumblebees in transportation corridors.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Has Part

ISSN: 0197-9191

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-25-012

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

technical report

Language

eng

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/25-012

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-SP68

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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