Bombs versus bees: bee diversity on military bases and preserves in Texas, USA

Military installations in Texas span multiple ecoregions and represent an underrecognized opportunity for arthropod conservation. Native bee communities were surveyed across six military bases and three natural preserves to evaluate species richness, diversity, and community composition. Abundance- and incidence-based data were analyzed using diversity metrics, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and indicator species analysis to identify ecological patterns and environmental drivers. A total of 350 bee species were recorded from 20,359 specimens. Of these, 138 species (39%) were shared between military bases and preserves, while 116 (33%) occurred only on bases and 96 (27%) only in preserves. Diversity and evenness were generally higher in natural preserves, particularly Big Thicket and Piney Woods, although some bases such as Camp Swift exhibited comparable richness. Rainfall and canopy cover were the strongest correlates of community structure. These results demonstrate that military lands serve as complementary reservoirs of bee diversity and emphasize the importance of habitat characteristics in shaping pollinator assemblages. The findings support the integration of pollinator monitoring and habitat management within Department of Defense land stewardship programs.