Raster Based GIS Conference

Native Bee Habitat in Denver County

Many people are aware of the decline in bee populations, but often it is only the European honeybee that people are familiar with. Colorado has the 5th most bee diversity of any U.S. state and is home to approximately 950 bee species. These bees have a wide range of appearance and behavior; the average person may not be able to identify many of these species as bees. They are, however, a vital pollinator species as they are the most efficient pollinators of Colorado’s native plants. This study aims to identify suitable habitat for native bees in Denver County. Factors that affect native bee habitat include aspect, pesticide usage, soil type, vegetation type, and proximity to water. A weighted overlay analysis was performed to show habitat suitability on a scale of 1 (not suitable) to 5 (most suitable).

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