Project outline
Bees are essential pollinators supporting global food production and ecosystem health. While much is known about visual and chemical cues in bee behavior, the role of sound remains understudied. This project investigates how acoustic factors influence bee communication, foraging behavior, and pollination efficiency in natural and agricultural landscapes. The research will assess how emerging anthropogenic sounds, including those generated by drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles, may interfere with bee activity and pollination success. The outcomes will inform sustainable agricultural and urban planning strategies that protect pollinator health and maintain ecosystem resilience
Project Partners
This project is hosted at the University of Southampton.
Further project information
This project addresses the core research question: How do anthropogenic sound sources, including drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles, affect bee behavior, communication, and pollination efficiency? Bees rely on wingbeat frequencies for a range of essential tasks, from intra-colony communication and thermoregulation to buzz pollination in crops such as tomatoes and blueberries. However, increasing noise pollution in the 50–2000 Hz range overlaps with bee acoustic signals, potentially disrupting these processes.
The project will use a combination of bioacoustic field recordings, soundscape mapping, and laboratory experiments in controlled acoustic environments (anechoic chambers) to investigate behavioral and physiological responses of bees to different sound profiles. High-speed video and acoustic sensors will be used to quantify changes in foraging behavior, flower visitation, and pollen release under varying sound conditions. Data will be analyzed using signal processing and behavioral modelling techniques to identify key acoustic parameters influencing pollination outcomes. The project’s outcomes will inform strategies for mitigating the impacts of noise on pollinators and support the design of quieter agricultural and aerial technologies.
Subject Areas
- Acoustics
- Biology
- Ecology
- Bioacoustics
- Environmental science
- Signal processing
Required qualifications/skills
Essential
- A first-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Acoustics, biology, ecology, bioacoustics, environmental science, or a related discipline.
- Skills in data analysis (e.g. R, Python, or MATLAB) and/or signal processing would be advantageous.
Student
Commencing in October 2026