Forecasting the Influence of Climate Change on Agroecosystem Services: Potential Impacts on Honey Yields in a Small-Island Developing State

Abstract

Global change poses numerous challenges to developing nations and small-island developing states (SIDSs). Among these are the effects of climate change on honeybees' provisioning services including honey production. Here we ask two questions. First, what is the relationship between honey yield and climate in a tropical environment? Second, how does yield vary spatially under current climate and future scenarios of climate change? Focusing on the island of Puerto Rico, we developed an ensemble of bioclimatic models that were used in a geographical information system to identify suitable areas for honey production under current and future scenarios of climate change. A comparison between contemporary (1998-2005) and historical honey yield data revealed a reduction in average yield, including variability, over time, with current yields averaging 5.3 L/colony. Three bioclimatic variables were retained by at least three models: temperature seasonality and mean temperature of the wettest quarter were negatively correlated with honey yields whereas precipitation of the wettest month was positively correlated. The four models varied in terms of their predictions but showed that both honey yields and areas suitable for honey production will decrease under scenarios of climate change. These results illustrate the possible impacts of climate change on honey and ultimately honeybees.

The implications of climate change for positive contributions of invertebrates to world agriculture.

“…Based on these differences we might anticipate that: tropical regions will 1733 experience less temporal decoupling of pollination services than temperate regions, temperate 1734 plant species with shorter flower life might benefit more from a warming-induced increase in 1735 pollinator activity than temperate species with longer flower life, and there may be an 1736 increase in pollination success of animal-dependent plants in the tropics due to increased 1737 pollinator activity in response to higher temperatures. 1738 Domesticated honeybees are expected to remain effective in tropical zones under the 1739 temperatures predicted for the next century, but foraging behaviour will be altered under 1740 increased rainfall, resulting in reduced productivity of honey and crops (Delgado et al, 1741(Delgado et al, 2012. It is likely that domesticated western honeybee races in warmer climatic conditions 1742 will need more intensive disease management than they currently do.…”

Colonization history and population differentiation of the Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) in Puerto Rico

“…The single colonization hypothesis Rico (Delgado et al, 2012;Rivera-Marchand, Oskay and Giray, 2012). The single colonization hypothesis Rico (Delgado et al, 2012;Rivera-Marchand, Oskay and Giray, 2012).…”

Status of Honeybee Apismellifera Bandansii Pests and Pathogens in Seka Chokersa District of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

“…Abundance/ intensity of Varroa destructor infestation in honeybee colony is more important factor to establish its management level in honeybee colonies (Delgado et al , 2012;Okosun, 2013). The intensity (Number of varroa destructor/100 bees) was compared in three hive types: Traditional, Transitional and Frame (Table 4.8).The result showed that, there is no significant variation (F = 0.076, P>0.05) in abundance/intensity of the mite among hive types.…”