Burned forest and edge effects: changes in Amazonian understory bee community across anthropogenic forest disturbances

Abstract Abstract Land-use changes have threatened pollinators in tropical forests. Increasing anthropogenic pressures in the Amazon have intensified edge effects and fire frequency, altering environmental filters for forest-adapted groups. Therefore, given their sensitivity to environmental conditions, bee communities may be severely impacted. We assessed how the structure of understory bee community was affected in southeastern Amazon forests under experimental burning 12 years earlier and continuous edge effects, as well as subsequent droughts and blowdowns. Given the bee relationship with habitat quality, we hypothesized that: (i) bee diversity assemblages are smaller in burned forests and edges, (ii) bee species composition would be altered in disturbed forests, and (iii) bee community changes are primarily driven by species loss. We sampled understory bee assemblages using visual and scent traps in an Amazon forest affected by fire and edge effects. Bee diversity was greater in disturbed areas than in undisturbed areas, particularly along burned edges. The bee abundance was not affected by disturbances. Species composition differed among disturbances, with unique species and habitat indicators in each forest area. The changes were driven by species turnover. Implications for insect conservation After 12 years of regeneration following forest modification by recurrent fires or edge effects, bee assemblages were more diverse. Thus, Amazonian forests, even under multiple disturbances such as repeated fires, severe droughts and blowdown, may still support the persistence or reassembly of different understory bee assemblages. However, changes in bee species composition may indicate potential shifts in the bee community as the forest itself.