Project GNBee
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Nesting Biology
Ninety percent of all bees are solitary and seventy percent of bees nest in the ground. Many bees form large long-standing aggregations and provide crucial pollination services that enhance ecosystem resilience and food security. Yet, our knowledge of the nesting requirements for nearly 20,000 species world wide (4,000 of which are found in the USA) is sorely lacking.
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Economic Impact
Pollination from bees delivers 100’s of billions (USD-$) annually to the global economy. Wild bees arrive at no cost to farmers and improve the quality and quantity of their harvest.
High value, nutritious specialty crops such as apples, cherries, plums, apricots, blueberries, and strawberries are dependent on diverse bee populations for fruit production. For many crops, greater access to diverse bees can increase productivity. |
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Conservation
By protecting and enhancing long-term nesting aggregations near farms and orchards, producers can reduce the cost associated with increasingly unavailable honey bees which will make production more resilient and sustainable over the long term. Protecting nesting sites also safeguards co-occurring species and enhances ecosystem stability.
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