Impacts of agricultural intensification on native bee diversity and abundance in Massachusetts cranberry bogs

Bee diversity and abundance data were collected on cranberry bogs in southeastern Massachusetts and compared to historical survey data conducted on the same bogs. We measured the proportion of agricultural lands in the surrounding landscape as well as several other metrics related to agricultural intensification, including honeybee competition, organic vs. conventional bogs, and timing of pesticide applications. Data suggest the diversity of native bee communities is negatively affected by agricultural intensification, while the abundance of some common species (e.g. Bombus impatiens) appears to be increasing sharply in areas of extensive agriculture.