annual nesting monitoring
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James Cane
Sep 16, 2025, 5:25:15 PMSep 16
to Bee Monitoring
Hey Folks- it is the very name of our group, but what would use for a keyword (or phrase) for studies wherein nesting by bees is monitored for many years? It is uncommon and valuable data, in my opinion, but scattered hither and yon in the literature. I'd like to efficiently tag these studies in my reference manager.
your ideas are welcome,
jim
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James H. Cane
Native bee and pollination ecologistowner - WildBeecology
"Knowledge and comprehension are the joy and justification of humanity"
Alexander von Humboldt
Flatbush Gardener
Sep 16, 2025, 7:01:17 PMSep 16
to jim....@gmail.com, Bee Monitoring
I think of "longitudinal" or "multi-year".
Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener)
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John Purdy
Sep 17, 2025, 8:12:55 AM (14 days ago) Sep 17
to jim....@gmail.com, Bee Monitoring
I was going to suggest "nestology" and it might work but it is used by one or more businesses to promote home decoration sales.
Regards
john Purdy
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Kimball Clark
Sep 17, 2025, 1:51:35 PM (14 days ago) Sep 17
to johnr...@gmail.com, jim....@gmail.com, Bee Monitoring
Jim and other bee nerds,
So it seems to me the intent is to merge two words/concepts:
nest + monitoring
…but here are my opinions and experience on how these two words may elicit questions, followed up by a final conclusion.
First, I'll discuss the term "nest":
When I first studied bees, the term "nest" seemed ill-placed. My visual mind provoked images from ornithology, not melittology. "Hive" seemed more appropriate, but it was more closely related to their sweeter but meaner cousins, so that was a non-starter. But over the years, I admit the term "nest" has grown on me. In this context, the word "nest" may over-emphasize the nest itself (a noun), or matters related to the bee's nesting (a verb), than the greater ecology of the area wherein the bee flies and forages…but when it comes to solitary bee propagation performance (or monitoring), I've learned the following factors tend to matter the very most, and in this order:
1. Site
So it seems to me the intent is to merge two words/concepts:
nest + monitoring
…but here are my opinions and experience on how these two words may elicit questions, followed up by a final conclusion.
First, I'll discuss the term "nest":
When I first studied bees, the term "nest" seemed ill-placed. My visual mind provoked images from ornithology, not melittology. "Hive" seemed more appropriate, but it was more closely related to their sweeter but meaner cousins, so that was a non-starter. But over the years, I admit the term "nest" has grown on me. In this context, the word "nest" may over-emphasize the nest itself (a noun), or matters related to the bee's nesting (a verb), than the greater ecology of the area wherein the bee flies and forages…but when it comes to solitary bee propagation performance (or monitoring), I've learned the following factors tend to matter the very most, and in this order:
1. Site
2. Forage
3. Shelter (or nest)
In other words, the success of the site, or the "promised land", matters significantly. If this is the case as I suggest, then why should "nest" be used at all in this context when it's the very last (or 3rd) factor, of three? Why not use the term "ecology" or "environment", etc.?
Well, let me explain…"Nest" placement, if we humankind are to optimally farm/ranch solitary bees, is a human decision. The common denominator between all three factors is "nest" as in "nesting site", "forage proximity to nest", and "shelter—the nest itself" (of course the nest itself should include key matters related to bee origin, nest emergence methods, adult provisioning preferences, bee development, and nest security).
We therefore must place the right bees, in the right nest, among the right forage, and in the right place. From this context, I conclude the term "nest" is very appropriate!
Second, I'll share my comments on the term "monitoring":
It must necessarily compete against other like terms such as "surveying", "tracking", "logging", or "auditing". As much as I like "logging/auditing", both seem too technical and are not observational enough. "Monitoring" seems to comprise both a technical and observational aspect, but by definition introduces another key factor—that of time…which leads me to my last question.
If you're going to create "Nest Monitoring" as a common practice among non-Apis bee researchers/citizen scientists, the next logical question for me is "for how long?" You may want to preface this compound phrase with another term such as "decadal" or "quinary", or "Quinary Nest Monitoring", or if you want to sound especially nerdy, "Melittological Quinary Nidification Monitoring", LOL. For the record, my experience with monitoring bee nests in three-year increments can be helpful, but if you have one bad year for whatever reason, you're left with making assumptions from only two years.
Another question to be expected is "Nest monitoring of which animal?", so prefacing the compound phrase with a third term such as "Bee Nest Monitoring" or "Melittological Nest Monitoring" or "Melittus Nest Monitoring" (or "MNM") might be optional.
Alas, because you asked, these are my nerdy thoughts for the morning.
In other words, the success of the site, or the "promised land", matters significantly. If this is the case as I suggest, then why should "nest" be used at all in this context when it's the very last (or 3rd) factor, of three? Why not use the term "ecology" or "environment", etc.?
Well, let me explain…"Nest" placement, if we humankind are to optimally farm/ranch solitary bees, is a human decision. The common denominator between all three factors is "nest" as in "nesting site", "forage proximity to nest", and "shelter—the nest itself" (of course the nest itself should include key matters related to bee origin, nest emergence methods, adult provisioning preferences, bee development, and nest security).
We therefore must place the right bees, in the right nest, among the right forage, and in the right place. From this context, I conclude the term "nest" is very appropriate!
Second, I'll share my comments on the term "monitoring":
It must necessarily compete against other like terms such as "surveying", "tracking", "logging", or "auditing". As much as I like "logging/auditing", both seem too technical and are not observational enough. "Monitoring" seems to comprise both a technical and observational aspect, but by definition introduces another key factor—that of time…which leads me to my last question.
If you're going to create "Nest Monitoring" as a common practice among non-Apis bee researchers/citizen scientists, the next logical question for me is "for how long?" You may want to preface this compound phrase with another term such as "decadal" or "quinary", or "Quinary Nest Monitoring", or if you want to sound especially nerdy, "Melittological Quinary Nidification Monitoring", LOL. For the record, my experience with monitoring bee nests in three-year increments can be helpful, but if you have one bad year for whatever reason, you're left with making assumptions from only two years.
Another question to be expected is "Nest monitoring of which animal?", so prefacing the compound phrase with a third term such as "Bee Nest Monitoring" or "Melittological Nest Monitoring" or "Melittus Nest Monitoring" (or "MNM") might be optional.
Alas, because you asked, these are my nerdy thoughts for the morning.
Sincerely,
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