Bee community assemblages within a California coastal sage scrub restoration context

Habitat loss is a leading cause of species decline, and restoring habitat is an important component in the conservation of all species, including wild bees. Wild bees may benefit from revegetation and habitat restoration, but bee communities are also affected by the age of restoration and the degree of habitat connectivity. In this study, we surveyed bee and plant communities at three California coastal restoration sites, which have experienced similar anthropogenic impacts but vary in restoration age and connectivity. We examine the floral resources at these locations, identify plant species that significantly impact bee communities, and discuss our results in the context of restoration age and habitat connectivity. We find similar mostly generalist bee communities amid differing plant communities. We also present management considerations for restoration practitioners aiming to improve habitats for bee conservation. Finally, we discuss habitat connectivity as a possible limiting factor for bees, challenging the “build it and they will come” assumption in habitat restoration.