Bumble Bee Abundance in New York City Community Gardens: Implications for Urban Agriculture

Matteson, Kevin C.; Langellotto, Gail

doi:10.15365/cate.2152009

Cited by 66 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Comparing the bumblebees' density in urban parks, cemeteries and allotments, the highest value was presented in species-rich flower gardens (Ahrne 2008). In such places, with a high diversity of flowering plants, bumblebee density can reach 8 specimens per 100 m 2 (Matteson and Langellotto 2009), while on cultivated fields in England only 4-5 specimens per 100 sq. m (Carvell et al 2004) and less than 1 specimen on 100 sq.…”

Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability of bumblebee communities (Apidae, Bombini) in urban green areas

Michołap

Sikora²,

Kelm

et al. 2017

Urban Ecosyst

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Based on current research the agglomerations are potentially desirable habitats for bumblebees. However, the relationship between the biodiversity of these bees and the green areas where they live is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of green areas (ranging from 8 to 102 ha) of big cities on bumblebee species richness, composition, and the relative number of these insects. The studies were conducted within the administrative borders of the city of Wrocław (Poland) in 2011-2012 in 12 green areas such as parks, cemeteries and other places with trees and shrubs. Species richness and abundance of bumblebees was determined by direct observation during 30 min. The gathered materials were used to calculate how areas of urban green space affected qualitative and quantitative bumblebee community structure. In total, 13 species of bumblebees (Bombus Latr.) were recorded, of which 3 belonged to cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus subgenus). The share of the most similar groups was congregated in green areas not smaller than 30 ha. This was proved by analysis of qualitative structure (Sørensen index), quantitative structure (Renkonen index), and qualitative-quantitative structure (Cody's index). The number of bumblebee species in the surveyed green areas (r = 0.7497) was decisive for the arrangement of the mutual similarity of group structure. Green urban areas should be created in a size of at least 30 ha. Such sites provide conditions for the most diversified bumblebee species communities. Sites smaller than 30 ha can play an important role as refuges, and allow migration to all pollinators.

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Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability of bumblebee communities (Apidae, Bombini) in urban green areas

Michołap

Sikora²,

Kelm

et al. 2017

Urban Ecosyst

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show abstract

“…Worker bumblebees in cities seem to be site-specific foragers. In a mark-recapture study in New York City, Matteson and Langellotto (2009) found that recapture rates varied between 30 and 68 % in individual gardens, indicating that bees were revisiting the sites to a great extent. This, of course, means that the diversity indices could also be slightly biased but assuming that the effect was similar it would still be possible to compare the two types of sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Matteson and Langellotto 2009). Several studies have shown that bumblebees can colonize urban areas with a relatively small cover of green space (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bumblebees in the city: abundance, species richness and diversity in two urban habitats

Gunnarsson

Federsel

2014

J Insect Conserv

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Bumblebees are well known for their contribution to the ecosystem service of pollination. In urban areas, green space management beneficial to pollinators can be an important step in sustaining large urban bee populations. The abundance, number of species and diversity of bumblebees (Bombus spp), as well as the abundance of honeybees (Apis mellifera), were studied in 13 urban gardens (including allotments) and 13 ornamental flowerbeds (in parks and green spaces) in the city centre of Gothenburg, Sweden. In total, 12 species of bumblebees were observed. Species richness was significantly higher in gardens than in flowerbeds, but diversity (Berger-Parker and Simpson indices) was higher in flowerbeds than in urban gardens. The abundance in gardens was significantly higher and approximately twice that found in flowerbeds. The number of honeybee individuals was positively correlated with the abundance of bumblebees. Neither species richness nor abundance of bumblebees was affected by site size. However, a high flowering frequency positively affected the total number of bumblebee and honeybee individuals at the sites. We conclude that urban gardens contribute to sustaining a high abundance of bumblebees in the city centre, and indirectly facilitates small scale urban food production. A pollinator-friendly management of urban green space with plentiful flowering may promote a community of bumblebees with high abundance and diversity.

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“…However, in some groups of bees, such as bumble bees, species richness increased in urban areas relative to the surrounding natural habitat (Goulson et al 2002;McFrederick and Le Buhn 2006;Winfree et al 2007;Matteson and Langellotto 2009). There are few studies that have surveyed different site types within a city matrix along an urbanization gradient.…”

Section: Advantages and Disadvantages Of Being A City Dwelling Beementioning

confidence: 99%

Wild bees along an urban gradient: winners and losers

2011

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The variability of bee communities along an urban gradient has a potentially strong impact on pollinator-plant interactions. We investigated changes in bee species richness and community composition in the city centre and suburbs of Poznań, Poland. During 2006-2008 we recorded 2,495 individuals from 104 species. The most abundant species was Andrena haemmorhoa. Other abundant species were Bombus pascuorum, Andrena vaga, Andrena nitida, Bombus terrestris. Several species appeared to be more abundant in the city centre whereas others showed an opposite tendency. We have found that the urbanized landscape can act as a filter for the bee community since some specific ecological traits facilitate colonization of the city centre. Small-bodied species that start their activity later in the season and are not solitary preferred the city centre. However, bee species diversity and richness remained stable across the urban gradient indicating some advantages of being a city dwelling bee. We suggest that a city can be a very important habitat for a diverse bee fauna and that conservation of a wide range of habitats of different urbanization levels seems to be the most suitable strategy for conservation of bee diversity in cities.

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Bumble Bee Abundance in New York City Community Gardens: Implications for Urban Agriculture

Cited by 66 publications

References 27 publications

Variability of bumblebee communities (Apidae, Bombini) in urban green areas

Variability of bumblebee communities (Apidae, Bombini) in urban green areas

Bumblebees in the city: abundance, species richness and diversity in two urban habitats

Wild bees along an urban gradient: winners and losers

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