Wild bees as pollinators of city trees

Abstract

Abstract Recent studies showed that diverse wild bee assemblages are more efficient pollinators than honeybees. In urban ecosystems pollination services are also important, for example for the reproduction of many plant species in parks, for the production of vegetables and fruits in home gardens, as well as other animals depending on bee‐pollinated plants. This study investigates the effect of ‘urbanity’ on the abundance, species richness and community structure of wild bees foraging at city trees and quantifies the contribution of wild bees and honeybees to successful pollination. Four common city tree species in Berlin, Germany, were sampled in three parks defined as ‘green spaces’ and compared with trees in more ‘urban areas’. In total, 57 wild bee species foraged at the observed trees representing 19 % of all known species in Berlin. Wild bee species richness showed only small differences between green spaces and urban areas even though social species were found more frequently in green areas. Wild bees visited flowers more frequently in green areas, whereas the numbers of honeybee flower visits were higher in urban areas. Wild bee but not honeybee flower visits showed a positive relationship with the reproductive success of trees. The results suggest that wild bees are important pollinators of city trees that dominate the pollinator community in green spaces. To support wild bee communities green spaces should be preserved and tree species with floral reward should be planted and preserved in urban areas.