Wake County’s Bee Species Richness Would Eventually Decrease as a Result of the Effects of Urbanization and Population Increase

Wake County, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States, with a population of more than 1.1 million people.

But what happens to the bee populations in such a densely populated and urbanized region? Are they disappearing or just hard to find?

This is the question that researchers from North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences tried to answer in a recent study.

They compared the bee species richness and abundance in Wake County from historical records dating back to 1892 with their surveys conducted from 2015 to 2017.

What is happening to the bees in Wake County, North Carolina?

(Photo : JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

The results were surprising: they found no evidence that bee species richness or abundance has declined in Wake County over the past century.

They recorded 143 bee species in the county, including six species that had never been documented before in North Carolina.

However, they also noticed that some bee species that were common in the past are now rare or missing, while some new species have colonized the area.

For example, they did not find any specimens of Macropis ciliata, a bee that collects oil from flowers, which was last recorded in Wake County in 1914.

On the other hand, they found several specimens of Augochlorella aurata, a metallic green bee that is more common in coastal areas and the Deep South.

Why are some bee species missing and others new in Wake County?

The researchers suggest that the changes in bee species composition in Wake County are likely driven by multiple factors, such as land use, climate, and floral resources.

For example, urbanization and agriculture may have reduced the availability and diversity of native plants that some bees depend on, while also introducing new plants that attract other bees.

Climate change may have also altered the phenology and distribution of plants and bees, allowing some species to expand their ranges and others to contract.

The researchers emphasize that the absence of some bee species in Wake County does not necessarily mean that they are extinct or endangered, but rather that they may have shifted their habitats or become more elusive.

For instance, Macropis ciliata may still exist in the county, but it may be restricted to wetlands or other habitats that are less accessible to collectors.

Alternatively, it may have moved to other regions where its host plants are more abundant.

The researchers also point out that the presence of new bee species in Wake County does not necessarily mean that they are invasive or harmful, but rather that they may have adapted to the changing conditions or found new niches.

For example, Augochlorella aurata may have benefited from the warmer temperatures and the increased availability of ornamental plants in urban gardens.

Also Read: Car Pollution: High Ozone Levels Prevent Bees from Searching Flowers for Pollination [Study]

What are the implications of the bee species changes in Wake County?

The researchers conclude that the bee species changes in Wake County reflect the dynamic and complex interactions between bees, plants, and humans in a rapidly changing landscape.

They argue that these changes have important implications for the conservation and management of bees and their ecosystem services, such as pollination.

Future studies should monitor the long-term trends and impacts of bee species changes in Wake County and other urban areas, using standardized methods and multiple sources of data.

Moreover, public outreach and education should raise awareness and appreciation of the diversity and value of bees in urban environments, and encourage the adoption of bee-friendly practices, such as planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and providing nesting sites.

They hope that their study will inspire more people to discover and protect the bees in their backyards, and to contribute to the citizen science efforts that help document and understand the bee species in Wake County and beyond.

Related article: How Robotic Bees Could Help Healthy Colonies, Environment