MONITORING OF WILD BEES IN POSTINDUSTRIAL WASTELANDS IN THE KUJAWY REGION

Species diversity of pollinating insects was studied in areas affected by soda and lime industry in the Kujawy region (central Poland). Environmental monitoring was conducted near 3 industrial plants related to lime processing: Soda-Mątwy S.A. in Inowrocław, Janikosoda S.A. in Janikowo, and Trzuskawica S.A. in Bielawy. We recorded there 183 species of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apiformes). The species that are widespread in the study area, i.e. common to all the 3 localities, accounted for about 49%, while those observed only locally, i.e. associated with only 1 industrial area, accounted for 25%. In the analysed period (2007–2010), we confirmed the occurrence of most of the species recorded: 78% in the areas affected by soda industry and 55% in those affected by lime industry. The presented results indicate that, surprisingly, postindustrial wastelands (including human-made and strongly degraded habitats) can create favourable conditions for stable populations of many species of insects, also of the monitored wild bees.