Dynamics of bee communities (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apiformes) in heath and grassland patches during secondary succession of the Peucedano-Pinetum series in the Toruń Basin

Abstract

Structural dynamics of bee communities was described in the heath area subject to succession of coniferous forest Peucedano-Pinetum. As pine trees successively overgrew the area, two-threefold decrease in the number of species was observed. Flowering of heather increased the food attractiveness of the heath for species of social bees. Stabilization of the structure of bee communities in the heath was observed as a consequence of placing a portable apiary.