Spatial Diversification of Bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apiformes) Assemblages in Forest Communities of the Suchedniów-Oblęgorek Landscape Park

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study, carried out from April to October in 2004 and 2005, was to characterise bee (Apiformes) assemblages in the phytosociologically diversified forest communities of the Suchedniów-Oblęgorek Landscape Park. Moericke colour traps were used to capture the bees. The five study sites yielded 76 bee species. There was a predominance of representatives from the families Apidae (28 species, 900 individuals) and Andrenidae (20 species, 222 individuals). The indices of species diversity (H’) and evenness (J’) reached their highest values in a mixed coniferous forest (BM) site, and reached their lowest values in a fi r forest (BJ) site. Qualitative and quantitative similarity of assemblage structure was highest in assemblages in mixed coniferous forest, mesic coniferous forest, and oak-hornbeam forest habitats, decreasing in floristically poor habitats not favourable to nesting, i.e. fi r forest and riparian forest. Traps placed on the forest floor in ground cover contained more individuals and species of bees, with 1192 individuals (88.8%) and 76 species, than in the canopy layer, with 150 individuals (11.2%) and 23 species. This trend was consistent across all the habitats in the Landscape Park.