Are Australia’s native bees thriving or declining? We don’t know but can find out

Each spring, thousands of solitary bees known as Dawson's burrowing bees emerge from burrows across Western Australia's arid plains. These bees, with their distinctive white and maroon or coffee-colored appearance, are out searching for flowers and mates. Australia is home to over 1,700 native bee species, a number that continues to grow each year.

However, these native bees are facing a severe conservation crisis due to habitat destruction, invasive species, pesticide use, and climate change. Despite this, few people are aware of the struggles native bees are undergoing, and even native bee researchers lack comprehensive information. The study conducted by Prendergast and her team aimed to identify the major threats to Australia's native bees and develop a conservation plan.

Native bees play a crucial role in ecosystems by pollinating native plants that other pollinators cannot, including valuable crops like macadamias and mangoes. Additionally, they provide food and habitat for various Australian animals, including koalas, which rely on eucalyptus trees for sustenance. Native stingless bees also hold cultural significance for First Nations communities, who have used stingless bee honey and wax for centuries in gifts, food, and tools.

Despite recent discoveries of new native bee species in Australia, research and conservation efforts have been insufficient. The 2009 study on Australian native bees highlighted challenges such as land clearing, disease, and competition with introduced plants and bees, but climate change and habitat loss have become the most pressing threats since then.

The lack of resources and attention towards native bee conservation may be due to the lack of recognition of their importance for human and ecosystem health. While some native bees, like the buzz-pollinating Amegilla, are crop pollinators, many other native bees require urgent help to ensure the health of both humans and ecosystems.