Mapping Priority Areas for Apiculture Development with the Use of Geographical Information Systems

Abstract

Supporting local and central authorities in decision-making processes pertaining to environmental planning requires the adoption of scientific methods and the submission of proposals that could be implemented in practice. Taking into consideration the dual role that honeybees play as honey producers and crop pollinators, the aim of the present study is to identify and utilize a number of indicators and subsequently develop priority thematic maps. Previous research has focused on the determination of, and, on certain occasions, on mapping, priority areas for apiculture development, based mainly on the needs of honeybees, without taking into consideration the pollination needs of crops that are cultivated in these areas. In addition, research so far has been carried out in specific spatial entities, in contrast to the current study, in which the areas to be comparatively assessed are pre-chosen based on their geographical boundaries. The information derived from this process is expected to help decision-makers in local and regional authorities to adopt measures for optimal land use and sound pollination practices in order to enhance apiculture development at a local scale. To achieve this target, the study incorporates literature about the attractiveness of crops and plants to pollinating honeybees as well as the pollination services provided by honeybees, in combination with detailed vegetative land cover data. The local communities of each municipality were comparatively evaluated, by introducing three indicators through numerical and spatial data analysis: Relative Attractiveness Index (RAI), Relative Dependence Index (RDI), and Relative Priority Index (RPI). Based on these indicators, attractiveness, dependence, and priority maps were created and explained in detail. We suggest that a number of improvement measures that will boost pollination or honey production or both should be taken by decision-makers, based on the correlations between the aforementioned indicators and the exanimated areas. In addition, dependence maps can constitute a powerful tool for raising awareness among both the public and the farmers about the value of honeybees in pollination, thus reinforcing bee protection efforts undertaken globally. Attractiveness maps that provide a thorough picture of the areas that are sources of pollen and nectar can serve as a general guide for the establishment of hives in areas with high potential for beekeeping.

Modeling the Potential Global Distribution of Honeybee Pest, Galleria mellonella under Changing Climate

“…Because of these factors, many countries cannot meet their honey need from domestic production alone and must import increasing amounts [ 13 , 21 ]. Furthermore, in some cases certain honey-importing countries require significant quantities of cheap honey from the international market so that it can be re-exported as locally produced honey [ 13 , 55 ]. The United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other European countries currently rank the highest in honey imports [ 13 ].…”

Detecting and distinguishing between apicultural plants using UAV multispectral imaging

“…Remote sensing systems have become powerful, supporting novel applications in agriculture, but applications in apiculture are, as yet, limited and focused mainly on tracking honeybee predators ( Reynaud & Guérin-Lassous, 2016 ) or honeybee congregation areas ( Carl et al, 2017 ). However, remote sensing could become a useful tool for beekeepers by providing vegetation maps indicating the presence and flowering periods of plants that are highly attractive to bees ( Marnasidis et al, 2021 ) as well as indicating the presence of conventional crops ( Donkersley et al, 2014 ). It can alert beekeepers to the possibilities of transferring colonies to better, safer and more productive locations.…”

Application of a Quality-Specific Environmental Risk Index for the Location of Hives in Areas with Different Pollution Impacts

“…Determining the most suitable areas for the placement of hives, and the mapping of these areas, is a very important task, as it can reduce colony losses [17] and, at the same time, ensure the necessary pollination services. Indeed, beekeeping contributes to the sustainability and conservation of natural resources through the pollination of a large number of native and cultivated plants [18]. In this context, the data present in the literature on the levels of pollutants in environmental matrices (water, air, soil and plants) in the Campania region of Southern Italy were processed [19].…”