2019-2020 Project Highlights
First, thank you to all project participants who have helped collect this valuable information! We are so grateful for this community that is clearly eager to conserve pollinators: from the 2019 to the 2020 season, the number of participants nearly doubled! This past year was difficult for many reasons and despite adverse conditions we were happy to learn in our post-season evaluation that the Atlas served as a safe and purposeful activity for many of you.
Seeing the photos and stories many of you shared on social media was fantastic! Whether you were surveying for the first time, observing different species, or exploring one of Nebraska's many beautiful landscapes, we were glad to see and learn more about your experience. We invite you to stay connected with the project and other volunteers using Facebook (groups/nebumblebees) or Instagram (@nebumblebees), and keep sharing your photos using #NEBBAtlas!
Jump To:
Summary by Grid Cell
Over the last two seasons, more than 100 participants have ventured out to conduct bumble bee surveys. With the increased participation from 2019 to 2020, we witnessed a significant increase in the number of bumble bees observed and the number of habitat surveys nearly quadrupled!
The map below depicts data collected during formal surveys (roadside or point surveys) over the last two seasons. The base color represents the number of habitat surveys conducted in each cell (darker = more surveys).
The map below depicts data collected during formal surveys (roadside or point surveys) over the last two seasons. The base color represents the number of habitat surveys conducted in each cell (darker = more surveys).
- Number of Surveys Conducted per Grid Cell: The total number of surveys increased from 61 (2019) to 268 (2020)
- Number of Bees Observed per Grid Cell: The total number of bee observations increased from 207 (2019) to 1980 (2020) – an eight-fold increase! The average number of bees observed during a survey was 9 individuals, though the highest number of individuals observed during a single survey was 68!
- Number of Species Detected per Grid Cell: The number of species detected increased from 7 (2019) to 10 (2020)! The grid cells with the highest number of species detected include NE_37, NE_59, NE_80, all with at least 6 species so far.
Bumble Bee Diversity
To look at overall diversity thus far, we included incidental observations (those that were not associated with a formal survey) to get a better understanding of distribution in the state. Incidental observations add nearly 1,000 more bumble bee sightings and increase the number of species we've observed from 10 to 11 thanks to observations of the Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus)! Only 1.6% of all observations were unable to be identified to the species level and were classified as Bombus sp., meaning participants took fantastic photographs that experts were able to identify.
It is no surprise that the majority of observations are Brown-belted and Common eastern bumble bees, these are both common and abundant throughout their range. What is surprising, however, was seeing that the American bumble bee (B. pensylvanicus) was the third most commonly observed species, making up nearly 20% of all observations. While Nebraska has historically been a stronghold state for this species, such high levels of decline have been detected in other parts of it's range that this species is considered vulnerable to extinction.
Figure 1: 2019 and 2020 bumble bee observations listed from most-to-least observed species. For example, the Brown-belted bumble bee (B. griseocollis) was most commonly observed (44.4% of all observations) while the Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (B. citrinus) was the least observed species (0.1%).
It is no surprise that the majority of observations are Brown-belted and Common eastern bumble bees, these are both common and abundant throughout their range. What is surprising, however, was seeing that the American bumble bee (B. pensylvanicus) was the third most commonly observed species, making up nearly 20% of all observations. While Nebraska has historically been a stronghold state for this species, such high levels of decline have been detected in other parts of it's range that this species is considered vulnerable to extinction.
Figure 1: 2019 and 2020 bumble bee observations listed from most-to-least observed species. For example, the Brown-belted bumble bee (B. griseocollis) was most commonly observed (44.4% of all observations) while the Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (B. citrinus) was the least observed species (0.1%).
Species Detection Maps
The maps below show where each of the detected species have been observed during the Atlas. Scroll through the maps using the numbers on the left to see detail for each species, they are listed from most-to-least observed. This type of information will allow us to update distribution maps and make comparisons to historical records to assess range expansion or decline. You can further explore these records by using the interactive map on Bumble Bee Watch.
Species of Greatest Conservation
Nebraska has four Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): the western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi), and variable cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus variabilis). Of those, the Southern Plains bumble bee (B. fraternus) is the only one to have been detected thus far. This SGCN was observed 15 times in 2019 and 70 times in 2020! After 2021's survey season is complete, the 2.5 years worth of habitat data will be used to increase our understanding of this species' needs and serve as guidance for stronger conservation practices.
Moreover, Atlas participants observed this species in 13 counties where it had not been observed prior to 2019, which is fantastic! Below, links to each new county record are listed, along with the Bumble Bee Watch username of the observer, and a map of the new and existing records.
Moreover, Atlas participants observed this species in 13 counties where it had not been observed prior to 2019, which is fantastic! Below, links to each new county record are listed, along with the Bumble Bee Watch username of the observer, and a map of the new and existing records.
Burt (MarlaGrier), Custer (cody.drier), Dakota (MarlaGrier), Fillmore (TheWxMoth), Jefferson (ruralroots), Kimball (MicRohde), Merrick (SarahMBailey),
Phelps (Sherok50), Polk (teachsci), Scotts Bluff (klamke), Sheridan (5mayflower), Washington (thebirbadook), York (pslatin)
Phelps (Sherok50), Polk (teachsci), Scotts Bluff (klamke), Sheridan (5mayflower), Washington (thebirbadook), York (pslatin)
Plant Information
Plant-pollinator interactions are crucial when it comes to understanding the foraging needs of bumble bees. These interactions allow us to understand which plants bumble bees utilize in different parts of the state and across the growing seasons. For example, the dataset generated by Atlas participants can be used to detect which plant species are preferred by different bee species throughout the year. This information can help inform land management and restoration efforts in ways that can help support at-risk bumble bees by potentially increasing the availability of key plants on the landscape.
The graphic below depicts the plants that were most frequently visited during habitat surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020. The blue bars represent the percentage of total bee visitation made to each particular plant. For example, the first bar on the left shows that roughly 9% of all recorded bumble bees were observed on sunflower (Helianthus sp.). The orange dot represents the number of bumble bee species that were observed visiting each particular plant (e.g. 5 different species were observed on sunflower).
The graphic below depicts the plants that were most frequently visited during habitat surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020. The blue bars represent the percentage of total bee visitation made to each particular plant. For example, the first bar on the left shows that roughly 9% of all recorded bumble bees were observed on sunflower (Helianthus sp.). The orange dot represents the number of bumble bee species that were observed visiting each particular plant (e.g. 5 different species were observed on sunflower).
|
One of the reasons we suggest Atlas participants conduct surveys in natural areas, as opposed to urban or developed parks, is to better understand the native plants with which bumble bees are interacting. Native plants are important, as they support many different types of wildlife, and we use them almost exclusively when designing seed mixes and plant lists for large-scale restoration efforts.
The pie chart summarizes the plant genera that bumble bees visited during a formal survey by native or nonnative to Nebraska. Of the 89 different plant genera recorded, 77% are native to Nebraska! Plants classified as "NA" were not submitted with enough information for us to assign a native or nonnative label. |
|
2021 Survey Priorities
Whether you are gearing up for round 3 or jumping in for your first survey season, we are happy to have you participating in the third season of the Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas! This project would not be possible without the help of all of you. As with the last two seasons, we have prioritized a set of grid cells. This year, priority cells represent:
- Biologically Unique Landscapes or Ecoregions that are relatively under-surveyed
- Western Bumble Bee (B. occidentalis) historical sights
- The Western Bumble Bee is one of Nebraska's Species of Greatest Conservation Need that has not been observed in-state since 2001 and we are hoping to detect it. In the coming months, we will be providing more information about the specifics of this bee for anyone interested in going on a Western Bumble Bee quest. Read the Western Bumble Bee's story.