Bees and Fire: How does Fire in Longleaf Pine Savannas Affect Bee Communities?

Abstract

Bees are efficient pollinators known to be key components of healthy forests. Thus, bees are often used as indicators of community response to restoration and disturbances, including fire. In longleaf pine savannas, the open canopies and floral resources that increase bee diversity and abundance are promoted by applying frequent, patchy prescribed fires. This publication is aimed to help fire and natural resource managers, landowners, and interested citizens learn more about the benefits of using fire to promote bee diversity in longleaf pine savannas.

Prescribed Fire Size, Patchiness, and Pyrodiversity in the Southeastern United States

“…Thus, deer still increased their use of burned areas for foraging while maintaining use of unburned areas (Cherry et al 2018). Bees that nest in plant twigs and cavities can use patches of unburned vegetation within burned areas, but some bees can travel several kilometers to find resources (Mitchell et al 2022).…”

“…Over time, vegetation regrows in burned areas, and animal habitat use changes. For example, wild turkey and white-tailed deer increase their use of recently burned areas over time (Main and Richardson 2002), and more habitat becomes available for bee species as the vegetation returns and begins to flower (Mitchell et al 2022). Regrowing Figure 1.…”