An ecological networks approach reveals restored native vegetation
benefits wild bees in agroecosystems
- Kate Borchardt,
- Claus Kadelka,
- Lisa Schulte,
- Amy Toth
Abstract
1. Conservation of species that rely on mutualistic partners such as
pollinators may be better studied using interaction networks and
indicators of ecological functions. 2. We used a novel systems-ecology
approach using network analysis and bee morphology indicators to
investigate ecological structure and bee body condition in the context
of a conservation practice known as prairie strips established within
row-crop fields compared to unrestored field margins. 3. We found the
increased flower resources in prairie strips produced a nested network
supporting higher bee richness and a greater chance for bee-mediated
plant pollination. 4. Some, but not all, bee groups showed improved body
condition at prairie strip sites with variation due to taxonomic group,
foraging preferences, and body size. 5. This study supports a growing
body of literature on the utility of network analysis in more broadly
assessing the effect of conservation practices on ecological
communities.