Description
Data Records
The data in this sampling event resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 5 records.
1 extension data tables also exist. An extension record supplies extra information about a core record. The number of records in each extension data table is illustrated below.
This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.
Versions
The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.
How to cite
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
Sinayitutse E, Imanizabera T, Dusabimana J C, Nsenganeza J D D, Iradukunda C S (2026). Baseline Assessment of Insect Pollinators in Agroecosystems of Rwanda: a baseline perspective for pollinator conservation. Version 1.6. Nature Rwanda. Samplingevent dataset. https://cloud.gbif.org/africa/resource?r=insect_pollinators_in_rwandan_agroecosystems&v=1.6
Rights
Researchers should respect the following rights statement:
The publisher and rights holder of this work is Nature Rwanda. To the extent possible under law, the publisher has waived all rights to these data and has dedicated them to the Public Domain (CC0 1.0). Users may copy, modify, distribute and use the work, including for commercial purposes, without restriction.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 5dd31996-6689-4fe3-8b24-d8af99ee0628. Nature Rwanda publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by Participant Node Managers Committee.
Keywords
Insect pollinators; agroecosystems; pesticides; pollinator conservation; sustainable agriculture
Contacts
- Metadata Provider
- Metadata Provider
- Metadata Provider
- Metadata Provider
- Metadata Provider
- Metadata Provider
- Point Of Contact
- Head of Species and Habitat Conservation
https://orcid.org/https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-4848-0416
- Point Of Contact
- Executive Director
Geographic Coverage
This dataset encompasses pollinator surveys conducted across five distinct agroecosystems in Rwanda. Sampling sites included: Rwakigeri village in Cyinzovu cell, Kabarondo sector, Kayonza district, specifically at the KWIIP farming project around Rugozi dam; Rugunga village in Biryogo cell, Gashora sector, Bugesera district, in the agricultural areas surrounding Lake Mirayi; Musenyi village in Murama cell, Kinyinya sector, Gasabo district, along the marshland of the Mbonwa-Rufigiza River; Rugarama village in Kibali cell, Byumba sector, Gicumbi district; and Muyebe village in Ruhango cell, Rongi sector, Muhanga district, located opposite to Busaga Forest.
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [-2.713, 29.202], North East [-1.395, 30.795] |
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Taxonomic Coverage
Insect species, identified to the genus and species level
| Genus | Afreumenes, Anterhynchium, Anthrenus, Apis, Asarkina, Belenois, Belonogaster, Bibylia, Bicyclus, Borbo, Brachicoma, Brachymeria, Catopsilia, Ceratina, Ceriana, Ceryx, Cetonia, Chlorocala, Chrysomya, Chrysotoxum, Colletes, Colotis, Condylostylus, Ctenochares, Cyana, Decapotoma, Episyrphus, Eristalinus, Eristalis, Eupeodes, Eurema, Galerucinae, Glyphodes, Halictus, Hypolimnas, Hypotrigona, Isodontia, Junonia, Lasioglossum, Longitarsus, Megachile, Melanagromyza, Musca, Mylabris, Pachnoda, Papilio, Paragus, Promecesse, Psyllobora, Ropalidia, Sarcophaga, Scaeva, Sphaerocoris, Sphaerophoria, sphex, Synagris, Syrphus, Trigona, Vespula, Xanthogramma, Xylocopa |
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| Species | Eristalis arbustorum, Anterhynchium natalense, Apis mellifera, Belenois creona, Borbo fatuellus, Catopsilia florella, Chrysomya chloropyga, Colotis antevippe, Colotis euippe, Danaus chrysippus, Episyron histrio, Eretis umbra, Eristalinus taeniops, Eurema hecabe, Hyalites hiponina, Junonia hierta, Junonia oenone, Junonia sophia, Junonia terea, Leptosia alcesta, Lucilia sericata, Megachile combusta, Musca domestica, Neptis serena, Sphaerophoria scripta, Spialia diomus, Synagris analis, Syritta pipiens, Syrphus ribesii, Tenebrio molitor, Thyreus nitidulus, Xylocopa caffra, Xylocopa flavorufa, Xylocopa inconstans, Xylocopa nigrita, Xylocopa virginica, Ypthima albida, Zizina antanossa |
Temporal Coverage
| Start Date / End Date | 2025-11-25 / 2025-12-06 |
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Project Data
This dataset provides comprehensive baseline data on insect pollinator diversity, distribution, and threats across five key agroecosystems in Rwanda, where pollinator information remains critically limited despite their substantial economic contribution to national crop production. Standardized surveys were conducted along 1 km transects using sweep nets and pan traps at five distinct sites: Kayonza district (KWIIP farming project around Rugozi dam), Bugesera district (around Lake Mirayi), Gasabo district (marshland along Mbonwa-Rufigiza River), Gicumbi district (Rugarama village), and Muhanga district (opposite Busaga Forest). These sites represent diverse agricultural landscapes across different ecological zones, capturing variation in habitat structure, crop types, and management practices. A total of 99 insect pollinator species were recorded, representing 5 orders and 31 families. Hymenoptera was the most dominant order (99 records), followed by Diptera (59 records) and Lepidoptera (53 records). At the family level, Apidae dominated with 69 records, followed by Syrphidae (39 records) and Nymphalidae (24 records). The Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) emerged as the most frequently recorded species across all surveyed areas, indicating that these agroecosystems continue to support essential pollination services. Pesticide application was consistently identified as the primary threat, with notably reduced pollinator abundance and richness in areas of frequent and recent pesticide use, signaling ecosystem stress. Pollinator presence varied significantly with crop flowering stages and habitat composition, highlighting the importance of temporal and spatial factors in community dynamics. The dataset follows the GBIF Sampling Event data model and is provided in Darwin Core–compliant formats. It establishes an essential ecological baseline to support future research, conservation planning, sustainable agricultural management, and policy development in Rwanda, contributing to national and global efforts to understand pollinator decline and promote evidence-based conservation strategies.
| Title | Baseline Assessment of Insect Pollinators in Agroecosystems of Rwanda: a baseline perspective for pollinator conservation |
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| Identifier | 70108 |
| Funding | The project was funded by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation |
| Study Area Description | This dataset presents data from the first phase of a nationwide pollinator assessment conducted across five strategically selected sites in Rwanda. The study covered one site in each of five districts representing distinct agroecological zones: Kayonza District (Kabarondo Sector) and Bugesera District (Gashora Sector) in the Eastern Province; Muhanga District (Nyamabuye Sector) in the Southern Province; Gicumbi District (Byumba Sector) in the Northern Province; and Gasabo District (Kinyinya Sector) in the City of Kigali. These sites were purposively selected due to their significant contribution to national agricultural production and their contrasting climatic and topographic conditions, which together provide a representative overview of Rwanda’s farming systems. Kayonza and Bugesera districts are located in the Eastern Province, characterized by relatively low elevations (approximately 1,200–1,500 m above sea level) and semi-arid to sub-humid climatic conditions. Annual rainfall in these areas is generally lower than the national average, typically ranging between 800 and 1,000 mm, with pronounced dry seasons. Agriculture in these districts is dominated by mixed cropping systems and irrigated farming, making them particularly relevant for assessing pollinator dynamics under water-limited and pesticide-intensive conditions. Muhanga District, situated in the Southern Province, lies within Rwanda’s central plateau at moderate elevations (approximately 1,700–2,200 m). The area experiences sub-humid climatic conditions, with annual rainfall commonly ranging between 1,200 and 1,400 mm. Farming systems in Muhanga are diverse and include mixed crops, horticulture, and agroforestry practices, providing an important contrast to the drier eastern landscapes. Gicumbi District in the Northern Province is characterized by higher elevations (approximately 1,800–2,200 m) and a cooler, wetter climate, with annual rainfall often exceeding 1,300 mm. The district supports intensive smallholder agriculture, including perennial crops and mixed farming systems, and represents highland agroecosystems where climatic conditions and land-use patterns differ markedly from lowland regions. Gasabo District (Kinyinya Sector), located in the City of Kigali, occupies an intermediate elevation range (approximately 1,500–1,800 m) and experiences moderate rainfall of around 1,000–1,200 mm annually. The area reflects a peri-urban agricultural landscape, where farming activities coexist with urban expansion, offering insights into pollinator dynamics in human-dominated environments. |
| Design Description | The study was designed as a stratified, observational field survey to document insect pollinator diversity, distribution, and associated environmental conditions across representative agroecosystems in Rwanda. The overall project is structured to be implemented in three main phases, each aligned with different flowering seasons, in order to capture seasonal variation in pollinator activity and crop–plant–pollinator interactions. The first phase, which forms the basis of this dataset, targeted five purposively selected sites across different districts and provinces, chosen to represent variation in climate, elevation, land use, and agricultural practices. Subsequent phases are intended to expand temporal coverage and strengthen understanding of seasonal dynamics in pollination services. Within each site, surveys were conducted using standardized 1 km transect sampling along agricultural areas. Insect pollinators were collected and observed using two complementary methods: sweep netting and pan traps (Popic et al., 2012; Toler et al., 2005; Roulston et al., 2007; Grundel et al., 2011). This consistent sampling effort enables comparability across sites and seasons while capturing a broad range of insect pollinator taxa with different foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The study design is grounded in the premise that improved empirical evidence on pollinator diversity, seasonal dynamics, and threats is essential for informing policy response, conservation advocacy, and sustainable agricultural strategies. |
The personnel involved in the project:
Sampling Methods
Insect pollinators were sampled using standardized transect methods along 1 km transects (Popic et al., 2012) at each site. Two complementary sampling techniques were employed to capture a broad range of pollinator taxa: sweep netting and pan traps (Toler et al., 2005; Grundel et al., 2011). Sweep netting involved actively collecting insects along the transect, targeting pollinators visiting flowers and foraging in vegetation. Pan traps, consisting of colored bowls filled with soapy water, were strategically placed along transects to passively capture flower-visiting insects. Surveys were conducted during daylight hours (between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) when pollinator activity is highest, ensuring consistent sampling effort across all sites and enabling comparability of abundance and diversity metrics. To enhance species detection, opportunistic observations will complement structured surveys (Fuster et al., 2020). This involves documenting pollinator visitations encountered outside formal observation periods in the same study area, valuable for detecting rare species, unusual interactions, or taxa underrepresented in fixed-time sampling.
| Study Extent | The study was conducted across five districts in Rwanda: Kayonza (Kabarondo sector, Cyinzovu cell, Rwakigeli village), Bugesera (Gashora sector, Biryogo cell, Rugunga village), Gasabo (Kinyinya sector, Murama cell, Musenyi village), Gicumbi (Byumba sector, Kibali cell, Rugarama village), and Muhanga (Rongi sector, Ruhango cell, Muyebe village). These sites were selected to represent variation in agroecological conditions, elevation, and agricultural practices across different provinces of Rwanda. |
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| Quality Control | Rigorous quality control measures were implemented to ensure data accuracy and reliability, following established protocols for insect pollinator surveys. Only insects observed visiting flowers or engaging in pollination-related behaviors were recorded to capture pollination services. When field identification proved difficult, flower-visiting insects were captured with hand nets, preserved in alcohol (70% ethanol) (O'Connor et al., 2019) for later morphological identification. Specimens were stored in labeled tubes or glassine envelopes, recording date, site, plant species, capture time, and collector identity (Uwizelimana et al., 2022). Specimens collected via sweep netting and pan traps were carefully preserved and transported to the laboratory for taxonomic identification by qualified entomologists. Double-counting was prevented by implementing systematic sampling protocols along transects, ensuring that the same individual was not recorded multiple times during active collection. Pan traps were placed at fixed intervals along transects and monitored for standardized periods to maintain consistency (Toler et al., 2005; Roulston et al., 2007; Grundel et al., 2011). Insects incidentally captured but not associated with pollination activities were excluded from the dataset to maintain focus on pollination-relevant observations. All specimens were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, with voucher specimens retained for verification and future reference, adhering to standardized practices in pollinator biodiversity surveys (Popic et al., 2012). This approach ensures comparability across sites and seasons while maintaining the scientific rigor necessary for baseline ecological assessments. |
Method step description:
- The project followed a systematic workflow to ensure data quality and GBIF compliance. Initial steps involved developing data collection materials by consulting existing GBIF datasets to identify relevant fields and standards, followed by designing custom data sheets aligned with Darwin Core terminology. These data sheets were deployed in KoboToolbox to enable easy digital data capture in the field. Prior to fieldwork, the survey team received comprehensive training on standardized data collection methodologies, species identification, and proper use of digital tools, and underwent a field trial practice. Following data collection, extensive data cleaning was conducted to align records with GBIF dataset standards, including taxonomic verification, coordinate validation, and formatting consistency checks. The final step involved preparing and publishing the cleaned dataset to GBIF, making it accessible for biodiversity research and conservation planning.
Bibliographic Citations
- Fuster F., Kaiser-Bunbury N.C, and Traveset A, 2020. Pollination effectiveness of specialist and opportunistic nectar feeders influenced by invasive alien ants in the Seychelles https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1499 Uwingabire, Z., Gallai, N., & Kephaliacos, C. (2021). Vulnerability analysis of food production and nutrient consumption on pollinators decline: The Case of Smallholder Farm Households in Huye District in Southern Rwanda. In 17th GLOBELICS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Innovation Systems and Sustainable Development: New Strategies for Growth, Social Welfare and Environmental Sustainability (p. 28). https://hal.science/hal-04842083/document Ndayiragije, P. S. (2021). Assessment of Aboveground Insects Associated Within Farm Fields of Musanze District in Rwanda: Abundance and Diversity. Yocgo, R. E. E., Hitimana, I., Hakizimana, M., & Birachi, E. A. (2023). Insect pollinators can unlock an annual monetary value of more than US $100 million from crop production in Rwanda. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 20108. Toler R.T., Evans W.E and, & Tepedino V.J. 2005. Pan-trapping for bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) in Utah's West Desert: the importance of color diversity the pan-pacific entomologist 81(3/4):103–113, (2005). Popic T.J, Wardle G.M., Davila Y.C, 2012. Flower-visitor networks only partially predict the function of pollen transport by bees. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02377.x Uwizelimana J.D, Nsabimana D. and Wagner T. 2022. Diversity and distribution of Fruit- feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12997 Grundel R., Frohnapple J.K., Jean R., and Pavlovic B.N. 2011. Effectiveness of Bowl Trapping and Netting for Inventory of a Bee Community. Environmental Entomology, Volume 40, Issue 2, 1 April 2011, Pages 374–380, https://doi.org/10.1603/EN09278 O'Connor R.S., Kunin W.E., Garratt M.P.D, Potts G.S, Roy E.H, Andrews C, Jones M. C, Peyton M.J., Savage J, Harvey M.J, Morris R.K, Roberts S. P. M., Wright I., J. Vanbergen, and Carvell C. 2018. Monitoring insect pollinators and flower visitation: The effectiveness and feasibility of different survey methods. Methods Ecol Evol. 2019; 10:2129–2140.
Additional Metadata
| Acknowledgements | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | |
| Getting Started | |
| Purpose | |
| Maintenance Description | The dataset will be updated as required. |
| Alternative Identifiers | 5dd31996-6689-4fe3-8b24-d8af99ee0628 |
| https://cloud.gbif.org/africa/resource?r=insect_pollinators_in_rwandan_agroecosystems |