• elevational gradients
• bee communities
• pollination networks
• trophic competition
• phototraps

Given the pivotal role of pollination in the reproduction of wild flowering plants and crops, the global decline of pollinators has prompted conservation initiatives worldwide. Within this scenario, investigating interspecific trophic competition as one of the potential causes of the aforementioned decline is crucial.
The main aim of this thesis was to detect the potential for trophic competition in high-altitude bee communities by describing pollination networks, and to assess the efficacy of a new monitoring device. Data processing included a general description of the target communities via diversity indexes, bipartite network analysis and foraging time analysis. Data collection was carried out via standard methods and innovative phototraps running a specifically developed software for motion detection. The phototraps have been designed and deployed on field to monitor bee-plant interactions, and their efficacy was determined in terms of number of records obtained, saved processing time and accuracy.
Although referring to partial pictures, attained results point to overall vulnerable pollination networks and to high degrees of trophic niche overlap between honeybees and some wild species. Given that most data collected came from phototraps and the motion detection software allowed to save more than 50% of video elaboration time, the device can be considered a promising option in bee monitoring studies.