Vast areas of the PNW remain data deficient with respect to the estimated more than 750 wild bee species that provide essential ecosystem services there. The Oregon Bee Atlas is working with expert volunteer Master Melittologists to address these deficits by conducting intensive multi-method inventory and monitoring field work throughout the state and with a special focus in Grassland and Sagebrush habitats due to their rich biodiversity. This field work generates species occurrence data, data on community assemblage, ecological data on bee-floral relations, and collects genetic material for hundreds of pollinator species. This informs conservation and restoration of species-at-risk, informs species assessments, and fills massive data gaps for these biodiverse areas. The objectives of this project are to:
1) publish a species occurrence dataset for Bombus to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) from vane trap samples, pan trap samples, and netted samples collected in the area identified in Figure 1. between 2019-2021, and a summary data paper to the Oregon State Arthropod Collection Journal, and
2) process 4 - 96 well plates of bee genetic material (380 unique specimens left side midleg) for COI mtDNA barcoding at the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB), Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, for public release as a Barcode Library Contribution. This project supports the selected priorities by 1) generating species occurrence and genetic data for pollinators in Grassland and Sagebrush habitats, 2) generating data which informs species and community conservation to enhance climate resiliency, 3) generating data which fills significant knowledge gaps related to at-risk pollinators, their ecology and ecosystem services, 4) generating data which provides information necessary to inform decision-making for regional and national conservation priorities, 5) generating data which is the reliable science needed to support programs and partners, and 6) generating data which is published globally following best practices.
The project outcomes are specifically, primary sources of information that can be consulted directly for spatiotemporal, ecological, and genetic data on species-at-risk, habitat, and floral specialists, and rare or little-known species in grassland and sagebrush habitats. Managers can use this information to conserve these species and their interdependent flora or enhance these species through restoration action. Data products will be reviewed by Jeff Everett (FWS) and Alan Yanahan (FWS) before publication.