A recent study focused on the bees and wasps inhabiting the endangered sand dunes of Canada's southern prairies, shedding light on changes to biodiversity in these unique ecosystems.
The research, published in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity, found that as sand dunes stabilize and become overgrown with plants, the types of bee and wasp species present undergo significant shifts.
Certain species that were absent on active dunes suddenly appear on stabilized ones, while others exclusive to open sandy dunes decline in abundance. The study, based on the examination of over 12,300 specimens collected from multiple sites across southeastern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba, underscores the importance of ongoing biodiversity surveys in endangered habitats.
Sand dunes in the prairies?
The sand dunes were formed during glacial periods in the Pleistocene which reduced bedrock to silt, sand, and gravel, resulting in the creation of active sand dunes in the Canadian Prairies.
The findings provide a foundation for future research and highlight the need for further investigations into understudied insect groups in the region. Before this study, little was known about dune-dependent arthropods in the region, except for some specific groups like tiger beetles and moths.
Study findings about Sand Dune Habitats in the Canadian Prairies:
- Biodiversity: These dunes serve as islands of biodiversity, housing a wide range of plant and animal species adapted to life on sand (psammophiles).
- Rare and Endangered Species: Several plant and animal species, such as kangaroo rats, insects, and spiders, are classified as rare, threatened, or endangered in Canada and depend on these dunes for survival.
- Dominant Plants: Grasses and dune scurpfea (Ladeania lanceolata) are the main plant species on the dunes, with 18 identified plant species in the sampling localities.
- Importance to Bees and Wasps: Certain bee and wasp species require dunes as nesting substrates to excavate deep burrows or search for mates. Predatory wasps also utilize dunes as hunting grounds.