Pollinator Bees in China: Diversity, Function, and Conservation

Bees are generally agreed to be the most important pollinators. Their pollination functions and services not only closely link to crop production and food security, but also underlie ecosystem health and stability. Unfortunately, bees face a combination of stressors such as land-use intensification and pesticide overuse, leading to declines and potential risks to human welfare. These facts underscore the urgent need for global research and action to protect bees and their pollination services. In this review, we examine the current understanding of pollinator bee diversity, function, and conservation in China. We discuss existing knowledge gaps, summarize the stressors affecting bees in China, and highlight their uniqueness when compared to advances in better-studied regions. We also provide insights into promising areas for future research, while advocating for more investments in the conservation of bees and their pollination services in China and Asia more broadly.