Bees and Fire: How does Fire in Longleaf Pine Savannas Affect Bee Communities?

Nicole Mitchell, Sarah Anderson Weaver, and Raelene M. Crandall

Release Date: 6/20/2022

Reviewed At: 2/13/2025

DOI: 10.32473/edis-fr454-2022

Natural Resources

Abstract

Bees are efficient pollinators known to be key components of healthy forests. Thus, bees are often used as indicators of community response to restoration and disturbances, including fire. In longleaf pine savannas, the open canopies and floral resources that increase bee diversity and abundance are promoted by applying frequent, patchy prescribed fires. This publication is aimed to help fire and natural resource managers, landowners, and interested citizens learn more about the benefits of using fire to promote bee diversity in longleaf pine savannas.

About this Publication

This document is FOR383, one of a series of the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Original publication date June 2022. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Nicole Mitchell, M.S. graduate, Ecological Restoration, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences and environmental specialist III, Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Sarah Anderson Weaver, Ph.D. candidate, Entomology and Nematology Department; and Raelene M. Crandall, assistant professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences; UF/IFAS Extension Gainesville, Florida 23611.

How to Cite

Mitchell, N., Anderson Weaver, S., & Crandall, R. M. (2022). Bees and Fire: How does Fire in Longleaf Pine Savannas Affect Bee Communities? EDIS, 2022(3). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fr454-2022

Authors

Raelene Crandall

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

associate professor, fire ecology, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Gainesville, FL

View Raelene Crandall's Profile

Publication #FOR383