Understanding Bumble Bee Community Changes And Floral Use In Southern Ontario.

Multiple wild bee species, including bumble bees, are in global decline due to habitat loss, reduced floral resources, and competition with managed honey bees. Monitoring previously surveyed sites is essential to assess ongoing impacts on bumble bee populations and identify trends over time. This research revisited areas in southern Ontario to examine changes in bumble bee abundance, diversity, and floral use (Chapter 1) and explored potential competition for floral resources between bumble bees and honey bees (Chapter 2). Results indicate that while some bumble bee species have increased over the last 50 years, many have declined, leading to an overall loss of diversity. Findings also reveal significant niche overlap between bumble bees and honey bees, suggesting competition for floral resources. This work informs conservation strategies, identifies species requiring focused efforts, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining diverse floral resources to support bumble bee populations.