Our study supports the idea that urban environments can provide valuable habitat for diverse bee communities, but demonstrates that some bees are vulnerable to urbanization. Notably, Bombus and Lasioglossum (Dialictus), were two important pollinator groups negatively affected by urbanization. Our study demonstrates that urbanization can benefit some bee species and negatively impact others. Across sites, nearly 70% of floral resources were provided by exotic plants, most of which are characterized as weedy but not invasive. Furthermore, the amount of available floral resources was positively associated with exotic and eusocial bee abundances. Blooming plant species richness positively influenced bee species diversity and richness. More urbanized sites supported a greater number of exotic, above-ground nesting, and solitary bees, but fewer eusocial bees. Additionally, urbanization altered bee community composition via differential effects on bee species and functional groups. We found that urbanization positively affected bee diversity and evenness but had no effect on total abundance or species richness. We examined how floral resources, bee functional traits, temperature, farm size, and the spatial scale of analysis influence bee response to urbanization. In this study, we surveyed bee communities at 15 farms and gardens across an urban-rural gradient in southeastern Michigan, USA to evaluate the effect of urbanization on bees. However, some researchers suggest that cities could also provide refuge for bees, given that agricultural intensification may pose a greater risk. Urban development can reduce and degrade natural habitat for bees and other pollinators. Wild bees are important pollinators in many ecosystems threatened by anthropogenic disturbance.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |