A study by LeBuhn, Alarcon-Cruz is accepted for publication in iScience.
Research by Professor Emerita of Biology Gretchen LeBuhn and student Gilbert Alarcon-Cruz (M.S., ’24), now a science teacher at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, reveals that California’s hotspots for native bee diversity don’t always overlap with those for native plants.
The study also found that areas with the greatest variety of bee species aren't necessarily home to the most species of unique bees. The findings build on years of work by LeBuhn to standardize methods for collecting bees and highlight the importance of considering both bee and plant diversity in conservation efforts.