BeeTrees: tropical and sub-tropical nectar and pollen sources

BeeTrees is a data set that contains information about tropical and sub-tropical trees utilized by bees for nectar and pollen sources. There are over 500 trees included in this data set, which has been compiled from global literature references. Many are confirmed from in-situ observations by the author. This is not an exhaustive list of trees visited by bees or used by them for food, although the information contained here will be of assistance to foresters, horticulturalists and others interested in native trees and/or trees useful to bees.

Data found in this data set provide descriptive characteristics of trees and shrubs valued for provision of food sources for honey bees and other bees or pollinators in tropical and sub-tropical ecological zones. Parameters of the data include genus and species, common local name, precipitation and evelvation ranges along with a geographical area of occurrence and brief habitat description. The data are delimited by the growth habit of the plants to include only plants that have a woody and at least semi-perennial growth. The plant scientific names included in the original text of the literature are updated to match current accepted taxonomy nomenclature (2015) in the BeeTrees database.These data can be used to help decision makers identify trees that may be useful in reforestation, landscaping and restoration projects in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. It is a contribution to conservation efforts focused on native flora, on honey bees and other types of bees valued for their roles as pollinators, and on tropical fruit and nectar trees.

Literature searches to compile information began in 1997 in support of agroforestry projects and partners working with the International Technology Transfer Program of the USDA National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, the US Forest Service International Programs and the USAID Global Bureau. Additional material was added with occasion of other forestry projects undertaken by the primary author (e.g. Hurricane Mitch Reconstruction; TSTAR-Caribbean).Original metadata date was 05/28/2015. Minor metadata updates on 12/15/2016.

BeeTrees 数据集收录了有关热带和亚热带树木的信息，这些树木是蜜蜂用于花蜜和花粉来源的物种。该数据集包含超过500种树木，信息来源于全球文献资料，其中许多信息经作者实地考察确认。尽管这并非蜜蜂访问或用作食物的树木的完整清单，但其中所含信息将对林业工作者、园艺学家以及其他对乡土树木及对蜜蜂有益的树木感兴趣的人士大有裨益。数据集提供了描述性特征，包括树种和品种、地方俗名、降水和海拔范围、地理分布区域及简要生境描述。数据集根据植物的习性进行界定，仅包括具有木质结构和至少半常绿生长特性的植物。原文献中的植物学名已更新至符合当前接受的分类学命名法（2015年）的 BeeTrees 数据库。这些数据可用于帮助决策者识别在世界的亚热带和热带地区的造林、景观设计和恢复项目中有可能发挥作用的树木。这是对以保护乡土植物、蜜蜂及其他作为授粉者有价值的蜜蜂类型，以及热带水果和花蜜树木为重点的保护工作的贡献。自1997年开始，为支持农业林业项目及与美国农业部国家农业林业中心林肯林肯内布拉斯加州的国际技术转让计划、美国森林服务国际项目和美国国际开发署全球署合作的项目，对信息进行了搜集。随着主要作者参与的其他林业项目（例如：米奇飓风重建；TSTAR-加勒比）的进行，增添了额外的资料。原始元数据日期为 2015年5月28日，于2016年12月15日进行了少量元数据更新。