Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Evans, Kristine O.

Committee Member

Iglay, Raymond

Committee Member

Hill, JoVonn G.

Committee Member

Fortuin, Christine

Date of Degree

5-10-2024

Original embargo terms

Embargo 6 months

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Abstract

Private, working forests provide unique opportunities for biodiversity research and management. Even-aged management often creates a heterogeneous mosaic of forest stands in southeastern loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) landscapes, with stands containing structural and compositional characteristics that support different bee functional groups. Interspersion of different structural conditions, combined with roads separating adjacent stands, leads to prevalence of edges across much of the landscape, which may have varying effects on bee species. I evaluated how landscape heterogeneity and presence of edge influences functional diversity in wild bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) communities during the summers of 2022 and 2023. Open conditions within early successional stands and along stand edges, with more floral diversity and exposed bare soil for nesting, benefit the overall bee community, though some species respond differently due to differences in their nesting strategies. The heterogeneous mosaic of working pine forests thus have the potential to support diverse bee communities.

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