Space and Time Dynamics of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)-Melliferous Resource Interactions Within a Foraging Area: A Case Study in the Banja Luka Region (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Abstract

Interactions between honeybees and the environment are often difficult to achieve, particularly when the purpose is to optimize beekeeping production. The present study proposed to monitor the space-time variations of melliferous resources potentially exploited by colonies within a foraging area in Bosnia & Herzegovina, characterized by contrasting landscapes. The combination of methods involving Geographical Information Systems, floristic monitoring, and modelling enabled honey production potential to be calculated for the entire foraging area. In particular, the location of taxa, their abundance, diversity, and phenology enabled us to determine the spatial distribution and temporal variation of production potential. Robinia pseudoacacia and Rubus sp. made a major contribution. This potential was highly contrasted, with distant areas from the apiary more attractive than closer ones, depending on the moment. Specific periods, such as June were particularly conducive to establishing a high potential. Forest and grassland played a major role in the temporal succession, mainly because of the area covered, but moments with lower potential were supported by specific land uses (orchards). Land uses with a small surface area, such as orchards, wasteland, and riparian zones had a high potential per unit area, and improving the production potential within a foraging area could involve increasing these specific surfaces.

Keywords: Apis mellifera L.; honey production potential; honeybee; land use; landscape; melliferous resources; pollen and nectar; seasonality; space and time variations.

Figure 1

Location of the area and examples of landscapes. The study area is located in northern B&H, North-West of Banja Luka.

Figure 2

Distribution of land use types within the foraging area.

Figure 3

Space and time variation of HPP. The represented time step is the week, each card is linked to a week number during the year (for example W10 for week 10). Each circle has a diameter equivalent to 3 km.

Figure 4

Temporal variation in cumulative HPP per week as a function of land use type: (a) total HPP (×10⁸ kg); (b) HPP per unit area (kg/ha).

Figure 4

Temporal variation in cumulative HPP per week as a function of land use type: (a) total HPP (×10⁸ kg); (b) HPP per unit area (kg/ha).

Figure 5

Cumulative HPP over 25 weeks of the 20 taxa contributed most to the total HPP of the foraging area.