Islands in the desert for cavity-nesting bees and wasps: ecology, patterns of diversity, and conservation at oases of Baja California peninsula

Aims: The oases of Baja California peninsula (BCP) have been proposed as important hotspots of biodiversity that hold an exceptional richness in the middle of desert conditions. We provide the effect of habitat, climatic, biogeographic and anthropogenic disturbance on communities of cavity nesting taxa, emphasizing on bees, wasps and their natural enemies. Location: Baja California Peninsula, Northwest Mexico.

Methods: In oases of BCP and desert neighbor environments, trap-nesting taxa were evaluated in response to factors affecting the nest abundance, richness, and community structure. We used statistical models to find the variables controlling the nest abundance and ecological analyses to determine the habitat effect on diversity under different scenarios of disturbance and latitude.

Results: The nest abundance varied between bees and wasps, but solar irradiation and relative humidity influenced the abundance of both groups. In general, abundance and richness were higher in oas...