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<font size=2>Martins, A. C., et al. (2013). "Changes in wild bee
fauna of a grassland in Brazil reveal negative effects associated with
growing urbanization during the last 40 years." <u>Zoologia
(Curitiba)</u> <b>30</b>: 157-176.<br>
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<dd><x-tab> </x-tab>Bee
fauna and associated flora from a grassland site in Brazil, surveyed 40
and 20 years ago, were newly surveyed with comparable methodology to
evaluate changes in the bee fauna of this site, considering that human
population and urbanization has exponentially increased in the last 40
years. In general, bee species richness has declined in 22%, as well as
their abundance. Some of the previously abundant species are now absent,
including Bombus bellicosus Smith, 1879, Gaesischia fulgurans (Holmberg,
1903) and Thectochlora basiatra (Strand, 1910). No particular trend of
differential decrease among either taxonomic or functional groups was
observed, except for a minor increase in the proportion of oligolectic
species and a 50% reduction in the number of large species. The first two
surveys were more similar to each other in species richness per bee
genus, while the two most recent grouped together based on measures of
anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, the number of plant species visited by
bees increased, with a pronounced increase in ruderal and exotic species.
Crop cultivation, competition with honeybees and climate changes may all
be related to bee decline. Nevertheless, the effects of urbanization, in
particular intense land occupation and few preserved natural areas can be
pointed as the main causes of species decline. Due to continuing increase
in human population, increased erosion in diversity is expected. Habitat
protection is an additional challenge to bee conservation in the region,
with no local conservation units set aside for grasslands. State and
municipal agencies should urgently consider the establishment of reserves
for the few remaining patches of natural grasslands.<br><br>
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