Dot.rural researchers creating a buzz on BBC

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Dot.rural researchers creating a buzz on BBC

Researchers at the University's dot.rural digital economy hub have been busy bees and featured on Thursday's episode of The Beechgrove Garden on BBC 2 Scotland.

Annie Robinson highlighted the group’s collaboration with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the importance of bumblebees and how gardeners can encourage bumblebees into their gardens.

Dot.rural have developed an online interactive tool called Beewatch which helps scientists to identify the types of bumblebees visiting UK gardens.

Users simply need to do is take a photograph of the bumblebee in their garden, make a note of the location and the date and submit the information via the website.  One of the bee experts then reviews the information and confirms the identification of the bumblebee.

This information allows the scientists to increase their knowledge about the diversity and geographical spread of the UKs bumblebees. Last year members of the public sent in 3,000 photos.

Watch a clip of Annie on the Beechgrove Garden