Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7034-7555

Advisor

Davis, John B.

Committee Member

Parys, Katherine A.

Committee Member

Fortuin, Christine C.

Date of Degree

12-12-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

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

Seasonal wetlands support the biological needs of diverse migratory and wintering waterbird species across the southern United States. Management of seasonally flooded impoundments often involves water management and soil and vegetation disturbances to promote early successional plant communities yielding abundant seeds for foraging birds. These wetlands are also occupied by native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; RIFA), yet how these insects respond to wetland manipulations remains understudied. I experimentally evaluated how native bee communities were influenced by various wetland management practices and reduction of RIFA populations within the wetlands. Overall, wetland manipulation techniques had no notable influence on bee communities. However, cavity-nesting Hymenoptera exhibited increased reproductive success at sites treated for RIFA. These findings suggest that the common wetland management practices that produce habitat diversity do not negatively influence native bees, sustaining valuable resources for both pollinators and waterfowl.

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NRCS-CEAP Wildlife Assessments

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