The Importance of Forests in Bumble Bee Biology and Conservation

Abstract Declines of many bumble bee species have raised concerns because of their importance as pollinators and potential harbingers of declines among other insect taxa. At present, bumble bee conservation is predominantly focused on midsummer flower restoration in open habitats. However, a growing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioscience 2021-12, Vol.71 (12), p.1234-1248
Main Authors: Mola, John M, Hemberger, Jeremy, Kochanski, Jade, Richardson, Leif L, Pearse, Ian S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bees
Climate change
Conservation
Demographics
Demography
Environmental restoration
Food resources
Forests
Habitats
Insects
Life cycles
Life history
Nesting
Overwintering
Pollinators
Population decline
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Abstract Declines of many bumble bee species have raised concerns because of their importance as pollinators and potential harbingers of declines among other insect taxa. At present, bumble bee conservation is predominantly focused on midsummer flower restoration in open habitats. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that forests may play an important role in bumble bee life history. Compared with open habitats, forests and woody edges provide food resources during phenologically distinct periods, are often preferred nesting and overwintering habitats, and can offer favorable abiotic conditions in a changing climate. Future research efforts are needed in order to anticipate how ongoing changes in forests, such as overbrowsing by deer, plant invasions, and shifting canopy demographics, affect the suitability of these habitats for bumble bees. Forested habitats are increasingly appreciated in the life cycles of many bumble bees, and they deserve greater attention from those who wish to understand bumble bee populations and aid in their conservation.
ISSN:0006-3568
1525-3244
DOI:10.1093/biosci/biab121