Opportunities and Challenges for Wild Bee Conservation

Conserving pollinators in anthropogenic habitats of all descriptions is critically important. Often, we consider single-system dynamics, yet pollinators move readily between land uses so diverse pollinator communities in urban, forest or orchard settings, e.g., have the potential to benefit neighboring habitats, including crops. Pollination services provided by insects and other animals are critical to the reproductive success of many plants in a diversity of environments. Conserving and maintaining a diverse assemblage of wild bees is essential for healthy and functioning ecosystems. In addition, improving conditions for pollinators in urban areas is likely to improve the quality of life for human inhabitants and will provide opportunities for children to develop a sense of connection with nature. Understanding the biology and ecology of wild bees in diverse settings is the foundation of conservation. Therefore, understanding the biology and ecology of wild bees and the factors influencing their abundance and diversity across multiple systems to inform conservation efforts is the goal. Recent advances find that forests and forest remnants are critically important to global pollinator diversity and can enhance pollinator diversity in adjacent areas including crops. This research topic will address the opportunities and challenges for wild bee conservation across diverse land use types. This can include but would not be limited to articles that contribute to an understanding of plant-pollinator networks, effects of reclamation and restoration efforts on pollinator communities, local and landscape influences on pollinator communities in urban, rural, forested and agricultural settings. Factors influencing and empowering citizen conservation efforts are also of interest.