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Pollinators
Pollinators, which are vital for plant reproduction, have historically been overlooked in forestry policies despite their ecological importance. Clear-cut logging, the primary method used in Finland, removes forest habitats and disrupts nutrient cycles, negatively affecting both pollinators and plants. While clear-cuts may offer temporary benefits by creating open spaces, selective logging could reduce environmental disturbance and better support biodiversity.
I’m documenting the work of a research group from the University of Helsinki that aims to fill knowledge gaps concerning pollinators and plants in various forest management areas. Their goal is to identify pollinator and plant diversity, study their interactions, and assess the impact of forest management on microbial communities.
The study will provide insights into which species are most crucial for the ecosystem and how forest management affects their stability and resilience. Understanding these dynamics will help in designing forest management strategies that support biodiversity—including pollinators and their interactions with plants and microbes.
Using full-spectrum photography, I capture their fieldwork and analyses, while also photographing my own bacterial samples from the same areas, cultured in petri dishes and agar gel. Many pollinators, such as bees, can see UV light. The extended spectrum reveals patterns and markers on flowers that are invisible to the human eye. These UV patterns serve as visual guides, directing pollinators to nectar and pollen, and facilitating a mutually beneficial exchange: food for the pollinators, and successful pollination for the plants.