Understanding and addressing shortfalls in European wild bee data

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 290, P. 110455 - 110455

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Understanding and reversing biodiversity decline in the Anthropocene requires robust data on species taxonomic identity, distribution, ecology, population trends. Data deficits hinder assessments conservation, despite major advances over past few decades, our understanding of bee diversity, distribution Europe is still hampered by such shortfalls. Using a unique digital dataset wild occurrence we identify seven critical shortfalls which are an absence knowledge geographic distributions, (functional) trait variation, dynamics, evolutionary relationships, biotic interactions, tolerance to abiotic conditions. We describe "BeeFall," interactive online Shiny app tool, visualizes these highlights missing data. also define new impediment, Keartonian Impediment, addresses high-quality situ photos illustrations with diagnostic characteristics directly affects outlined Shortfalls highly correlated at both provincial national scales, identifying key areas where gaps can be filled. This work provides important first step towards long-term goal mobilize aggregate European into multi-scale, easy access, shareable, updatable database inform research, practice, policy actions for conservation bees.

Language: Английский

---

DNA barcoding insufficiently identifies European wild bees (Hymenoptera, Anthophila) due to undefined species diversity, genus‐specific barcoding gaps and database errors

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(5)

Published: March 25, 2024

Abstract Recent declines in insect abundances, especially populations of wild pollinators, pose a threat to many natural and agricultural ecosystems. Traditional species monitoring relies on morphological character identification is inadequate for efficient standardized surveys. DNA barcoding has become standard approach molecular organisms, aiming overcome the shortcomings traditional biodiversity monitoring. However, its efficacy depends completeness reference databases. Large efforts are (almost entirely) lacking European countries such patchy data limit Europe‐wide analyses precisely how apply bee identification. Here, we advance towards an effective bees. We conducted high‐effort survey bees at junction central southern Europe barcoded all collected morphospecies. For global analyses, complemented our barcode dataset with relevant delimitation, general genus‐specific gaps examined error rate repositories. found that (i) sixth specimens from Slovenia could not be reliably identified, (ii) delimitation methods show numerous systematic discrepancies, (iii) there no gap across (iv) genus specific, but only after curating errors Intense sampling underrepresented regions strict curation repositories needed enhance use

Language: Английский

---

Big data, big problems? How to circumvent problems in biodiversity mapping and ensure meaningful results

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(8)

Published: May 30, 2024

Our knowledge of biodiversity hinges on sufficient data, reliable methods, and realistic models. Without an accurate assessment species distributions, we cannot effectively target stem loss. Species range maps are the foundation such efforts, but countless studies have failed to account for most basic assumptions mapping practices, undermining credibility their results potentially misleading hindering conservation management efforts. Here, use examples from recent literature broader community highlight substantial shortfalls in current practices consequences both analyses management. We detail how different decisions data filtering impact outcomes analysis provide practical recommendations steps more analysis, whilst understanding limits what available will reliably allow methods appropriate. Whilst perfect not possible many taxa given limited biases, ensuring within reasonable inherent is crucial ensure appropriate use. By embracing enacting best can accuracy improved comparability going forward, ultimately enhancing our ability facilitate protection natural world.

Language: Английский

---

Global patterns and drivers of buzzing bees and poricidal plants

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(14), P. 3055 - 3063.e5

Published: June 25, 2024

Language: Английский

---

The effects of climate change on boreal plant-pollinator interactions are largely neglected by science

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

EuPPollNet: A European Database of Plant‐Pollinator Networks

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Motivation Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining Earth's terrestrial biodiversity. However, rapid human‐induced environmental changes are compromising the long‐term persistence of plant‐pollinator interactions. Unfortunately, we lack robust, generalisable data capturing how communities structured across space and time. Here, present EuPPollNet (European Plant‐Pollinator Networks) database, fully open European‐level database containing harmonised taxonomic on interactions referenced both time, along with other ecological variables interest. In addition, evaluate sampling coverage EuPPollNet, summarise key structural properties networks. We believe will stimulate research to address gaps guide future efforts conservation planning. Main Types Variables Included contains 1,162,109 between plants pollinators from 1864 distinct networks, which belong 52 different studies distributed 23 European countries. Information about methodology, habitat type, biogeographic region additional rank information (i.e. order, family, genus species) is also provided. Spatial Location Grain The 1214 locations 13 natural anthropogenic habitats that fall 7 regions. All records geo‐referenced presented World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84). Time Period Species interaction was collected 2004 2021. Major Taxa Level Measurement at species level for 94% records, including total 1411 plant 2223 pollinator species. includes 6% flowering plants, 34% bees, 26% butterflies 33% syrphid level. Software Format built R stored ‘.rds’ ‘.csv’ formats. Its construction reproducible can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14747448 .

Language: Английский

---

The Distribution of Wild Bee Species Along a Latitudinal Gradient in Northern Europe Depends on Their Flower Preferences

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim The functional diversity of bees contribute to the maintenance plant biodiversity because different species wild prefer and pollinate plants. Many bees, in particular with narrow flower preferences or specialised habitat requirements, are threatened by landscape homogenisation climate change. Nonetheless, we still lack an understanding large‐scale impacts anthropogenic stressors on distribution bee preferences. Location Northern Europe: Norway, Denmark Germany. Methods We combine a dataset comprising ~30,000 observations presences absences occurrences from structured surveys at 269 sites northern Europe investigate if modulate distributions across multiple environmental gradients. Bees were assigned continuous trait separating preference for short vs. tubular flowers. Results observe that either flowers (Fabaceae) plants shallow (including Apiaceae Brassicaceae) can be described score. likelihood observing along latitudinal gradient—encompassing variation temperature, atmospheric N deposition elevation—is dependent its Specifically, have higher occurrence latitudes, while non‐tubular increase towards south. Main Conclusions Our results improve our how species‐specific drives community‐wide shifts therefore help devise region‐specific conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

---

Biogeography of European Bees

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Bee Systematics and Conservation

Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 72(2), P. e11416 - e11416

Published: May 15, 2025

Diversity can be examined and interpreted from various perspectives, including species richness, genetic phenotypic differences, variation in behaviors natural history, phylogenetic history. Centuries of taxonomic research have revealed approximately 21,000 bee worldwide. These subdivided into a hierarchy subgroups that reflects their evolutionary thanks to the increasingly more comprehensive hypotheses available. Advances systematics enhanced our understanding how diversity has evolved, origin Cretaceous, shifts geographical distribution, evolution social parasitic behaviors, changes relationships between bees plants they visit throughout 120-million-year shared An important outcome enduring relationship with flowering is vital role play pollination both agricultural ecosystems. Habitat loss, climate change, other anthropogenic environmental alterations led declines populations, which sparked concerns about conservation highlighted importance complementary aspects diversity, components this variation. The availability reliable significant advancements, enabling assessments communities predictions regarding vulnerability habitat change ecological functions. This review explores perspectives documenting interpreting changing world summarizes current classification while discussing advances contemporary research.

Language: Английский

---

Challenges for Quantifying Knowledge Shortfalls on Tropical Pollinators in the Face of Global Environmental Change – Brazilian Bees as a Case Study

Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 72(2), P. e11276 - e11276

Published: May 15, 2025

Assessing the extent of ongoing pollinator declines and predicting future changes is key to defining priorities developing adequate policies mitigate consequences such negative trends. Nevertheless, a lack basic information on species identity, trends, traits, requirements hinders our ability make assessments. Such knowledge gaps are particularly pronounced in tropical regions, which expected be severely affected upcoming years by climate change. Identifying taxonomic groups regions have greater can help direct efforts. Recent studies proposed quantify ignorance (shortfalls) methods them for pollinators. Here, we use Brazilian bees as case study evaluate feasibility applying these pollinators provide first assessment gaps. While some adaptations were proposed, evaluated time all seven shortfalls (Linnean, Wallacean, Raunkiaerian, Eltonian, Prestonian, Darwinian, Hutchinsonian) Keartonian impediment. We found that Linnean shortfall at least five-fold one recently European countries with most outstanding (i.e., an increase rate 1% per year, reaching 3% certain families). Also, more than half Brazil’s land area (ca. 57.5% 50x50 km pixels) lacks known bee records, less ten spatially unique indicating Wallacean shortfall. Despite gaps, important sources do exist just not accessible or spread out. Substantial compilation efforts would necessary unite existing into databases. Considerable collaborative incentives standardized data public crucial advance this field guide actions reduce

Language: Английский

---