Neal Williams is Professor of Pollination and Bee Biology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology, faculty co-director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center and a member of UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute. His applied research addresses the integration of wild and managed bees for pollination of diverse agricultural crops including seed production, row crops and orchards. This research addresses as series inter-related questions. Under what contexts, in terms of local management and landscape context, can native pollinators provide sufficient pollination for different crops? How can we enhance habitat and diversify agricultural systems to promote managed and wild bees? Do pollinators like honey bees and wild bees interact in ways to increase the overall effectiveness of crop pollination? The answers to these questions helps alleviate the stress placed on honeybees and also informs ways to more sustainably manage agricultural systems to promote biodiversity and production.
