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This desert valley is home to 500 bee species, a world record

Discussion in 'Wildlife & Nature Conservation' started by UngulateNerd92, 2 Nov 2021.

  1. UngulateNerd92

    UngulateNerd92 Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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    Location:
    Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
    The San Bernardino Valley, straddling Arizona and Mexico, is a hot spot for bee diversity—but faces unknown impacts from border wall construction.

    In the midst of the Chihuahuan Desert, straddling the border of southeastern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, the San Bernardino Valley is an oasis of life. Following rains, especially the monsoon downpours of late summer, the area explodes with an abundance of flowers—and a bevy of bees. In fact, research by entomologist Bob Minckley shows that this area has the highest concentration of bee species in the world.

    In a recent paper published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, Minckley and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge manager Bill Radke found that 497 species of bees live within just over six square miles of the valley, a modest area for such a study, 10 times smaller than Washington D.C.

    This desert valley is home to 500 bee species, a world record
     
  2. UngulateNerd92

    UngulateNerd92 Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    4 Feb 2015
    Posts:
    5,552
    Location:
    Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
    @Arizona Docent being a fellow resident of Arizona, you might appreciate this article.