Comprehensive Global Bee Database: Introduction of BeeBCD to Address Data Gaps

The Australian native bee, Trichocolletes burnsi, is at risk due to evolving fire patterns, especially in the aftermath of the 2019-20 black summer bushfires. Image credits: James Dorey (Flinders University), Copyright James Dorey Photography.

BeeBCD compiles worldwide bee data, bolstering conservation and research by enhancing the accessibility and precision of species data for diverse ecological uses.

A revolutionary approach to addressing significant omissions in public bee data from regions like Africa, Asia, and other lesser-reported areas has emerged in the form of a centralized tool. This tool is designed to accumulate data on bee pollinator appearances globally.

Named BeeBCD, this initiative, detailed in a recent Nature journal article, consolidates over 18 million bee presence records from numerous public and private databases. The goal is to heighten the accuracy and reach of species data from across the globe, which can be applied in future conservation, research, and agricultural management efforts.

Advantages of Unified Data

The streamlined bee appearance datasets will bolster future plant and crop yield, as well as aid pivotal scientific dissemination, as noted by the main author, bee specialist Dr. James Dorey from Flinders University. His findings are published in Scientific Data, a subsidiary of Nature Research journal, on November 2.

The innovative BeeBDC package, as described by Dorey et al. in 2023, augments and interfaces with pre-existing tools such as bdc (by Ribeiro et al. in 2022) and CoordinateCleaner (by Zizka et al. in 2019). This suite of tools provides entomologists and relevant professionals with a mechanism to rapidly and reliably activate appearance datasets.

The challenge of streamlining the use of global bee appearance data has been monumental. Such data will serve as a foundational resource for biodiversity assessment, especially in light of increasing threats such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution. These threats are culminating in heightened rates of extinction, agricultural loss, and a decline in native plant diversity.

Another Australian native bee, Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata, male, is under threat due to habitat degradation and changing fire patterns. Image credits: James Dorey (Flinders University), Copyright James Dorey Photography.

Global Consequences and Research Potential

Dr. Dorey articulates that the growing strain on pollinating insects necessitates the establishment of a consistent reference for species appearance data, hoping BeeBDC serves as a model for similar endeavors.

Researchers globally are already utilizing BeeBDC to explore pressing intercontinental and lineage-specific queries related to bee-plant interactions, invasive species implications, and broad bee ecology and evolution. One realization is the underrepresentation of regions with probable high bee species diversities, like Asia and Africa. This central hub aims to motivate increased reporting from these crucial yet often overlooked regions.

BeeBDC’s Contribution to Conservation

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) emphasizes the reliance of native plants and over 100 food crops, valued at $US 18 billion, on pollination in the US. This includes contributions from over 4,000 species of wild bees. The USDA also underscores the multiple environmental pressures faced by both native and managed pollinators, such as clean air and water, habitat modifications, pesticides, and climate alterations.

Senior contributor Dr. Neil Cobb, Director of the US non-profit Biodiversity Outreach Network and principal leader of the iDigBees.org project, acknowledges BeeBDC’s pivotal role in confronting the ‘Wallacean Shortfall’. This is done by documenting the locations of the 20,000+ bee species, thereby facilitating a better grasp of their evolutionary geography and refining conservation strategies.

Dr. Cobb emphasizes the collaborative efforts of numerous organizations, scientists, and the public. There’s an imperative to expand collective initiatives to mitigate human-induced environmental impacts, aiming for enhanced global outcomes.

Prospects for Bee Conservation and Investigation

The authors, in their Scientific Data article, express optimism that their model will empower The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Wild Bee Specialist Groups to embark on evaluating and preserving global bee diversity.

Dr. Dorey emphasizes that the BeeBDC project was conceptualized to democratize access to this vital information, extending beyond exclusive research institutes. This rich repository of readily accessible, vetted data will stimulate new research domains and foster improved public communication tools. He also appreciates the contributions of community science data from sources like iNaturalist and data compilers such as the Symbiota Collection of Arthropod Network (SCAN) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility, which promote a deeper appreciation of our natural environment.

Reference: The article titled “A globally synthesized and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow” by James B Dorey and team, published on November 2, 2023, in Scientific Data. DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02626-w

This database project enlisted expertise from multiple esteemed institutions worldwide. The research benefited from the support and financing of numerous entities, including data suppliers, the Biodiversity Outreach Network, the US government, private academic grants, and partnering universities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: BeeBCD

More about fokus keyword: BeeBCD

• BeeBCD Project
• Flinders University
• King’s College London
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• iDigBees.org
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• iNaturalist
• Symbiota Collection of Arthropod Network (SCAN)
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility