Dissertation
Effects of landscape simplification on the ecology of Australian native bees and wasps
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00156
Abstract
Bees and wasps provide essential pollination and pest management services yet can be very sensitive to landscape simplification. Landscape simplification is considered a major threat to bee and wasp conservation in the tropics, but reliable population data is lacking. Pressures on bees and wasps in simplified landscapes may be reduced by increasing natural vegetation or resource diversity. Little is known, however, about the long-term resource requirements of bee colonies and even less is known about the specific resource requirements of solitary bee and wasp species, particularly in the tropics. This thesis describes community dynamics and resource use for tropical bee and wasp taxa in natural (forests) and simplified (orchard) landscapes using DNA metabarcoding. My research aims were to 1) compare long-term seasonal variability in pollen resources utilised by a social stingless bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) in natural and simplified landscapes (Chapter 2); 2) determine how landscape simplification and seasonal variability influence trap-nesting bee and wasp communities in the subtropics (Chapter 3); and 3) identify and compare key plant sources of brood provisions and nest materials for cavity-nesting solitary bees in natural and simplified landscapes using DNA metabarcoding (Chapter 4).
Details
- Title
- Effects of landscape simplification on the ecology of Australian native bees and wasps
- Authors
- Rachele Wilson - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Cluster
- Contributors
- Helen Wallace (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00156
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99650898102621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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