Researchers have identified as many as 80 native species of bees in Santa Cruz as part of a University of California study of the state’s bee population. There are approximately 4,000 native bee species in the United States, with 1,600—well over a third—in California alone. The study investigated bee species prevalent in seven urban areas statewide, with the focus in Santa Cruz on the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and the Soquel garden of Kimberly Carter Gamble. The researchers attributed the number of species to the rich diversity of plants in the city’s gardens. The count would have been even higher, they explained, were it not for fog banks and cool weather that affected the city during the study. With warmer weather, they add, the count could be even higher. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
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Glenn Rabenold Sat, Aug 22, 2009 - 4:03 pm
I have been watching Dr. Frankie’s efforts to improve habitat for native bees with some interest. I see his work as an important way to restore a good sense of ART to the Western mind. Designing gardens for native bees, probably using drought tolerant plants, is a very good way to introduce an excellent aesthetic to urban gardens. I also have hopes for commercial use of native bee habitat to assist in reducing the loss of pollinators in commercial California crops, primarily vinyards.