Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)

Wild bees are essential pollinators, yet their decline due to human activities threatens ecosystem stability. Protecting these pollinators requires a detailed understanding of both their diversity and distribution. In Belgium, the recently-established Semois Valley National Park (SVNP) is located in...

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Main Authors: Maxence Gérard, William Fiordaliso, Louise Ferrais, Chloé Fournier, Malo Hairault, Lise Lheureux, Paolo Rosa, Guillaume Ghisbain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-02-01
Series:Biodiversity Data Journal
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Online Access:https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/144223/download/pdf/
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author Maxence Gérard
William Fiordaliso
Louise Ferrais
Chloé Fournier
Malo Hairault
Lise Lheureux
Paolo Rosa
Guillaume Ghisbain
author_facet Maxence Gérard
William Fiordaliso
Louise Ferrais
Chloé Fournier
Malo Hairault
Lise Lheureux
Paolo Rosa
Guillaume Ghisbain
author_sort Maxence Gérard
collection DOAJ
description Wild bees are essential pollinators, yet their decline due to human activities threatens ecosystem stability. Protecting these pollinators requires a detailed understanding of both their diversity and distribution. In Belgium, the recently-established Semois Valley National Park (SVNP) is located in a region with limited bee sampling data and this study aims to identify the habitats most suitable to bees, especially for threatened species.Over five months, we surveyed 32 sites and collected a total of 1,119 specimens belonging to 120 bee species. Twenty-two of the observed species are listed as threatened in Belgium according to the last Red List published in 2019 for the country, four of them being Critically Endangered. Our findings indicate that mesic grasslands support the highest species diversity, as well as the highest number of threatened species. Our results underscore the need for conservation efforts aimed at maintaining diversity and species richness in this region. Effective biodiversity preservation will require enhanced habitat management and strategies tailored to bee species' ecological requirements.
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publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Pensoft Publishers
record_format Article
series Biodiversity Data Journal
spelling doaj-art-b0c75f5075d34b86bb17f85e03ac3d052025-08-20T02:13:41ZengPensoft PublishersBiodiversity Data Journal1314-28282025-02-011314510.3897/BDJ.13.e144223144223Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)Maxence Gérard0William Fiordaliso1Louise Ferrais2Chloé Fournier3Malo Hairault4Lise Lheureux5Paolo Rosa6Guillaume Ghisbain7Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Laboratory of Interaction Ecology and Global Change, Research Institute for BiosciencesParc National de la Vallée de la Semois, Parc Naturel de Gaume, Rue Camille Joset 1Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du parc 20Wild bees are essential pollinators, yet their decline due to human activities threatens ecosystem stability. Protecting these pollinators requires a detailed understanding of both their diversity and distribution. In Belgium, the recently-established Semois Valley National Park (SVNP) is located in a region with limited bee sampling data and this study aims to identify the habitats most suitable to bees, especially for threatened species.Over five months, we surveyed 32 sites and collected a total of 1,119 specimens belonging to 120 bee species. Twenty-two of the observed species are listed as threatened in Belgium according to the last Red List published in 2019 for the country, four of them being Critically Endangered. Our findings indicate that mesic grasslands support the highest species diversity, as well as the highest number of threatened species. Our results underscore the need for conservation efforts aimed at maintaining diversity and species richness in this region. Effective biodiversity preservation will require enhanced habitat management and strategies tailored to bee species' ecological requirements.https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/144223/download/pdf/ArdenneforestinventorypollinatorRed List
spellingShingle Maxence Gérard
William Fiordaliso
Louise Ferrais
Chloé Fournier
Malo Hairault
Lise Lheureux
Paolo Rosa
Guillaume Ghisbain
Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
Biodiversity Data Journal
Ardenne
forest
inventory
pollinator
Red List
title Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
title_full Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
title_fullStr Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
title_full_unstemmed Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
title_short Wild bee diversity of the National Park of the Semois Valley (Belgium)
title_sort wild bee diversity of the national park of the semois valley belgium
topic Ardenne
forest
inventory
pollinator
Red List
url https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/144223/download/pdf/
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