Diversity and spatial distribution of native bees in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, Philippines

Abstract Native bees are pollinators and bioindicators of ecosystem health but only little is known about its abundance, species distribution, habitat range, especially in the Philippines. This study assessed diversity spatial distribution native Mt. Banahaw de Lucban (MBDL). Belt transect coupled with opportunistic sampling were used inventory their nests. Nests occurrence 7 environmental predictor variables including; 1) annual mean temperature; 2) precipitation warmest quarter; 3) elevation; 4) slope; 5) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); 6) distance to agricultural areas (m); 7) forested (m) for modeling by MaxEnt. A total 16 including representatives from genus Apis, Tetragonula, Lasioglossum, Halictus, Hylaeus Megachile identified. 96 bee nests 5 also recorded yielding a density 234 per km 2 . Results showed medium solitary H’ 2.488. Most found lower elevations while forest had highest contributions nesting Apis breviligula , A. cerana Tetragonula biroi The all was 649.930 m extent suitable area these 5.340 Hence, landscape approach may be more appropriate conserve sustain services they provide MBDL.