Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics
(1) Background: Landscape simplification is a major threat to bee and wasp conservation in the tropics, but reliable, long-term population data are lacking. We investigated how community composition, diversity, and abundance of tropical solitary bees and wasps change with landscape simplification (p...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/12/853 |
| _version_ | 1797546043339964416 |
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| author | Rachele S. Wilson Sara D. Leonhardt Chris J. Burwell Chris Fuller Tobias J. Smith Benjamin F. Kaluza Helen M. Wallace |
| author_facet | Rachele S. Wilson Sara D. Leonhardt Chris J. Burwell Chris Fuller Tobias J. Smith Benjamin F. Kaluza Helen M. Wallace |
| author_sort | Rachele S. Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Landscape simplification is a major threat to bee and wasp conservation in the tropics, but reliable, long-term population data are lacking. We investigated how community composition, diversity, and abundance of tropical solitary bees and wasps change with landscape simplification (plant diversity, plant richness, distance from forest, forest cover, and land use type) and season. (2) Methods: We installed 336 timber and cob trap nests in four complex forests and three simplified orchards within the subtropical biodiversity hotspot of south-east Queensland, Australia. Trap nests were replaced every season for 23 months and all emergents identified. (3) Results: We identified 28 wasp species and 13 bee species from 2251 brood cells. Bee and wasp community composition changed with landscape simplification such that large, ground-nesting, and spider-hunting species were present in all landscapes, while those with specialist resource requirements and (clepto) parasitoids were present only in complex landscapes. Abundance and diversity of bees and wasps were unaffected by landscape simplification but increased with rainfall. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the need for multi-year studies incorporating nuanced measures such as composition with a focus on functional diversity to detect changes bee and wasp populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:24:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b81fa9a4ba44fe996ec3af0090e7afe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:24:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b81fa9a4ba44fe996ec3af0090e7afe2023-11-20T23:09:53ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-12-01111285310.3390/insects11120853Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the SubtropicsRachele S. Wilson0Sara D. Leonhardt1Chris J. Burwell2Chris Fuller3Tobias J. Smith4Benjamin F. Kaluza5Helen M. Wallace6Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Dr, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, AustraliaDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, GermanyEnvironmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD 4111, AustraliaKin Kin Native Bees, Main St, Kin Kin, QLD 4571, AustraliaSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, AustraliaDepartment of Public Technology and Innovation Planning, Fraunhofer Institute for Technological Trend Analysis INT, Appelsgarten 2, 53879 Euskirchen, GermanyEnvironmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia(1) Background: Landscape simplification is a major threat to bee and wasp conservation in the tropics, but reliable, long-term population data are lacking. We investigated how community composition, diversity, and abundance of tropical solitary bees and wasps change with landscape simplification (plant diversity, plant richness, distance from forest, forest cover, and land use type) and season. (2) Methods: We installed 336 timber and cob trap nests in four complex forests and three simplified orchards within the subtropical biodiversity hotspot of south-east Queensland, Australia. Trap nests were replaced every season for 23 months and all emergents identified. (3) Results: We identified 28 wasp species and 13 bee species from 2251 brood cells. Bee and wasp community composition changed with landscape simplification such that large, ground-nesting, and spider-hunting species were present in all landscapes, while those with specialist resource requirements and (clepto) parasitoids were present only in complex landscapes. Abundance and diversity of bees and wasps were unaffected by landscape simplification but increased with rainfall. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the need for multi-year studies incorporating nuanced measures such as composition with a focus on functional diversity to detect changes bee and wasp populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/12/853bee hotelsHymenopteraland use changehabitat losshabitat complexitybee decline |
| spellingShingle | Rachele S. Wilson Sara D. Leonhardt Chris J. Burwell Chris Fuller Tobias J. Smith Benjamin F. Kaluza Helen M. Wallace Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics Insects bee hotels Hymenoptera land use change habitat loss habitat complexity bee decline |
| title | Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics |
| title_full | Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics |
| title_fullStr | Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics |
| title_short | Landscape Simplification Modifies Trap-Nesting Bee and Wasp Communities in the Subtropics |
| title_sort | landscape simplification modifies trap nesting bee and wasp communities in the subtropics |
| topic | bee hotels Hymenoptera land use change habitat loss habitat complexity bee decline |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/12/853 |
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