A study reveals that temperature variations increase bee colony losses in Kenya. Providing water to hives can reduce these losses by 10%. The research highlighted a 36% average loss of honeybee colonies due to climate change. Effective adaptation strategies, including water supplementation and relocation of hives, are crucial for sustainability and improving beekeeping practices.
A recent study indicates that temperature fluctuations significantly lead to bee colony losses in Kenya, particularly during dry, hot, and wet seasons. It reports that beekeepers who provide additional water to their hives can reduce these losses by nearly 10%. Honeybees are essential for pollination and significantly contribute to agriculture and the economy.
The yearlong study, conducted from October 2021 to September 2022, found that Kenyan bee farmers experienced an average loss of 36% of honeybee colonies, attributed mainly to climate change. The Western honeybee,
Apis mellifera L., is favored globally for its high economic value, yielding honey, beeswax, and other products.
Research methods included face-to-face interviews with 589 beekeepers across diverse Kenyan climates, such as coastal areas and tropical forests. Findings revealed higher colony losses during hot, dry periods (up to 31.9%) than in wet seasons (up to 20.2%). Limited data on African honeybee colonies underscores the need for more research in sub-Saharan regions.
Malena Sibaja Leyton, one of the study’s co-authors, emphasizes the link between increased temperatures and colony losses, advocating for water supplementation as a feasible management strategy. This practice potentially aids beekeepers in maintaining their hives during challenging conditions, especially in similar climates.
Beyond water provisioning, Leyton suggests that seasonal climate patterns should inform beekeepers’ decisions on relocating hives, supplementary feeding, and providing shade. Policymakers and beekeepers can harness this information to bolster sustainable practices and guide future research on tropical climate relationships with bees.
Daniel Waigwa, a Kenyan beekeeper, affirms that climate change directly impacts honeybee production, particularly during extended droughts leading to water scarcity and limited forage. He underscores the economic importance of honeybee products for livelihoods and calls for effective long-term solutions to mitigate climate impacts on beekeeping.
Ezekiel Ndunda, a university lecturer, advocates for multi-year studies to analyze honeybee population fluctuations amid changing climates. He stresses the importance of integrating climate models to provide predictive insights for future beekeeping strategies, emphasizing adaptive management for improved colony survival.
The study’s findings highlight the necessity for adaptive agricultural methods to support bee populations amid climate change. Encouragingly, water supplementation is a practical mitigation tool that beekeepers can implement. Ndunda also suggests evaluating the integration of beekeeping education to enhance adaptation strategies for climate resilience.
The study highlights the significance of water supplementation for honeybee colony sustainability amid climate change, revealing that it can reduce losses by up to 10%. With substantial economic impacts tied to bee health, adaptive management strategies, including relocation and supplementary feeding, are crucial. Comprehensive understanding of climatic impacts is essential, along with ongoing research to develop effective solutions for beekeepers across sub-Saharan Africa.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
