Hummingbirds Thrive in New Native Plant Garden & Bee ID Advances in Brazil

A newbie gardener in the US was delighted to find hummingbirds flocking to their yard after planting native flora, highlighting the benefits of biodiversity and natural cooling. The garden, featuring plants like northern bush honeysuckle and bee balm, quickly attracted the pollinators, crucial for plant reproduction and ecosystem health. Meanwhile, in Brazil, CIIMAR researchers have significantly advanced bee species identification in the Caatinga biome using DNA barcoding. This has led to the identification of 75 more bee species, crucial for conservation efforts in this unique and threatened environment. The new methodology provides a solid basis for future investigations to understand local biodiversity and monitor bee populations.