Data from: Seasonal bee communities vary in their responses to resources at local and landscape scales: Implication for land managers

Context: There is great interest in land management practices for
pollinators; however, a quantitative comparison of landscape and local
effects on bee communities is necessary to determine if adding small
habitat patches can increase bee abundance or species richness. The value
of increasing floral abundance at a site is undoubtedly influenced by the
phenology and magnitude of floral resources in the landscape, but due to
the complexity of measuring landscape-scale resources, these factors have
been understudied. Objectives: To address this knowledge gap, we
quantified the relative importance of local versus landscape scale
resources for bee communities, identified the most important metrics of
local and landscape quality, and evaluated how these relationships vary
with season. Methods: We studied season-specific relationships between
local and landscape quality and wild-bee communities at 33 sites in the
Finger Lakes region of New York, USA. We paired site surveys of wild bees,
plants, and soil characteristics with a multi-dimensional assessment of
landscape composition, configuration, insecticide toxic load, and a
spatio-temporal evaluation of floral resources at local and landscape
scales. Results: We found that the most relevant spatial scale and
landscape factor varied by season. Early-season bee communities responded
primarily to landscape resources, including the presence of flowering
trees and wetland habitats.  In contrast, mid to late-season bee
communities were more influenced by local conditions, though bee diversity
was negatively impacted when sites were embedded in highly agricultural
landscapes. Soil composition had complex impacts on bee communities, and
likely reflects effects on plant community flowering. 
Conclusions: Early-season bees can be supported by adding flowering trees
and wetlands, while mid to late-season bees can be supported by local
addition of summer and fall flowering plants. Sites embedded in landscapes
with a greater proportion of natural areas will host a greater bee species
diversity.