Evaluating how prairie restorations influence native bee communities

With over 20,000 species globally, native bees are a diverse group of insects facing numerous ecological threats. One of the largest impacts is habitat loss and the concomitant decline in floral and nesting resources. Ecological restoration may provide habitat for native bees. However, until recently, native bees and other insects were not explicitly considered when planting and managing ecological restorations. Our lab is interested in understanding what factors influence the success of native bees in tall grass prairie restorations. In this talk, I will discuss how variables such as habitat size, seed mix composition, and surrounding habitat drive the diversity and abundance of native bee communities. In addition, we are examining which bee species are benefiting from ecological restoration.