Doñana Natural Park hosts one-third of Iberian bee species

A scientific team from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD), part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), has documented 387 species of wild bees within the Doñana Natural Park. This figure represents approximately one-third of all bee species known in the Iberian Peninsula, making it one of the most complete inventories of pollinators ever conducted in the protected area.

Researchers attribute this high level of biodiversity to the region's diverse habitats, rich flora, and Mediterranean climate, which provides floral resources throughout much of the year. The study was based on more than 27,000 observations of bee-flower interactions and thousands of taxonomically reviewed specimens.

A notable finding in the catalog is the first record of the species Andrena purpurascens in mainland Europe. Previously, this species was only known to exist in North Africa, suggesting a potential ecological link between southern Spain and the African continent, though researchers noted it could also be a recent colonization.