Shifting diversity patterns of non-Apis bees (family Apidae) across disturbance gradients in a Himalayan foothill...

Pollinators play an indispensable role in maintaining biodiversity and sustaining agricultural productivity. However, global pollinator declines driven by multiple disturbance factors, including habitat degradation, land use change, and growing anthropogenic pressures, have led to global pollinator declines, threatening both ecosystem stability and food security. Within the family Apidae, most research has focused on managed honeybees (Apis spp.), while their non-Apis counterparts remain poorly understood, particularly in ecologically complex Himalayan landscapes. To address this gap, the present study examined the shifting diversity patterns of non-Apis Apidae bees across disturbance gradients in the Jammu region of the northwestern Himalayas. Surveys conducted over two consecutive years (2022-2023) recorded 1087 individuals representing 21 species across seven genera: Bombus, Amegilla, Thyreus, Xylocopa, Ceratina, Braunsapis, and Melissodes. Species richness and diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson) were found to be highest in highly disturbed habitats, such as agroecosystems (H = 2.763, D = 0.927) and roadside flora (H = 2.732, D = 0.923), significantly exceeding those of undisturbed sites like meadows and grasslands (H ≈ 2.35, D = 0.872). Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among habitats (p < 0.05), revealing genus-specific responses to disturbance. While Bombus species were more abundant in undisturbed environments, Amegilla, Thyreus, Xylocopa, and Ceratina were notably more prevalent in highly disturbed landscapes. These findings underscore the ecological value of human-modified habitats for supporting bee diversity and highlight the need for inclusive conservation strategies that consider both pristine and disturbed environments. The results provide critical baseline data for pollinator conservation planning in Himalayan foothill landscapes increasingly affected by anthropogenic pressures.