A Qualitative Analysis of Beekeepers’ Perceptions and Farm Management Adaptations to the Impact of Climate Change on Honey Bees

Abstract

(1) Background: Bees are the primary animal pollinators in most ecosystems, and honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are important providers of pollination ecosystem services and products. Climate change is one of the major threats for honey bees. (2) Objectives and methods: Qualitative research using focus group discussions was carried out in northwestern Italy, to investigate the beekeepers’ perceptions of climate change effects, the relevant management adaptations, and the main issues affecting the sector. (3) Results: Beekeepers reported several consequences related to severe weather events (weakening or loss of colonies; scarcity of nectar, pollen, and honeydew; decrease or lack of honey and other bee products; greater infestation by varroa; decline in pollination), making it necessary to provide supplemental sugar feeding, intensive transhumance, more effective and sustainable techniques for varroa control, and increased production of nuclei. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was completed, displaying the factors able to strengthen or weaken the resilience of the beekeeping sector to climate change. (4) Conclusions: Thanks to their strong motivation and collaborative attitude, beekeepers succeed in adopting farm and bee hive adaptation strategies that are able to limit the climatic adverse effects. However, these findings highlight how the institutional and financial support for the beekeeping sector should be strengthened and better targeted.

An Easy Mixed-Method Analysis Tool to Support Rural Development Strategy Decision-Making for Beekeeping

“…In the following sections, after proposing a synthesis of the results of the first part of the FGDs (see details in [40]), the SWOT matrix discussed by the beekeepers and the SWOT item ranking were displayed.…”

“…FDGs were used to explore perceptions held by beekeepers about the effects of climate change on honey bees and beekeeping. The first portion of the meetings discussed climate change effects noted by the beekeepers during the last 10 years and the management and practice adaptations made in response [40]. A second set of discussions were undertaken for the present paper.…”

“…In order to introduce the general context of the analysis, it seems worthy to recap the main results from the beekeeper FDGs on the perceived effects of climate change and the management adaptations adopted [40].…”

“…Few studies exist on the impact of beekeeper perceptions of direct and indirect climate change on beekeeping activities [39,40]. In light of this, local beekeepers in the Piedmont Region (NW Italy) completed a qualitative survey under the auspices of the Interreg V-A Alcotra project between Italy and France "CClimaTT-Climate Changes within Cross-Border Territories" (2017-2020).…”

“…In light of this, local beekeepers in the Piedmont Region (NW Italy) completed a qualitative survey under the auspices of the Interreg V-A Alcotra project between Italy and France "CClimaTT-Climate Changes within Cross-Border Territories" (2017-2020). The general aim of this work was to analyse the perceptions of climate change effects held by local beekeepers and the adaptation strategies they adopted to handle those changes [40]. Part of the analysis identified the main favourable and unfavourable factors affecting beekeeping to perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) matrix based on current challenges to the sector.…”