Wild bee (Apiformes) communities in contrasting habitats within agricultural and wooded landscapes: implications for conservation management

Abstract

Semi-natural habitats are characterized by a high diversity of wildlife. However, other areas, e.g. old fields, can also play an important role in biodiversity conservation. We assessed the species richness, abundance, and diversity of wild bees (Apiformes), including species of various functional groups in two contrasting and differently managed landscape types. For this study, we selected 15 xerothermic or sandy grasslands or extensively managed fresh meadows located in agricultural landscapes as well as 15 old fields located in wooded landscapes. The study sites differed in area, stage of succession, and management regime. We did not detect any significant differences in total species richness, abundance, and diversity of Apiformes between the two landscape types, which suggests that both semi-natural habitats and old fields are highly attractive to bees. The two habitat types, however, differed in species composition and proportions of functional groups. We found that in wooded landscapes, eusocial, hive-nesting, and large-sized species increased in abundance. The collected information on the preferences of Apiformes in respect of various habitats and landscapes makes it possible to protect and restore valuable habitats through the implementation of suitable methods of management, both locally and on the scale of landscapes.