Bee flora diversity in different vegetation communities of Gesha-Sayilem forest in Kaffa Zone, south-western Ethiopia

Abstract

Tropical Afromontane forest has the potential for honey production. The main objective of the study was to identify major bee floras and its diversity in different vegetation communities of Gesha-Sayilem forest. Bee flora data were collected systematically from 90 plots with subplots for shrubs and herbaceous species. In addition, pollen traps having 16% pollen trapping efficiency were fitted at the entrance of beehives for pollen load collection. Shannon-Wiener diversity index; species richness and Shannon’s evenness were employed to determine diversity of bee flora. The result showed that 93 bee plant species belongings to 43 families were identified of which Asteraceae the most abundant family was followed by Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Acanthaceae and Rubiaceae. The analysis of bee forage diversity using Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) found in 5 different plant communities showed that plant communities one, two, and three have the highest bee flora diversity 3.2, 3.2, and 3.5, respectively. The dominant bee plants in community one were (Ilex mitis and Syzygium guineens), community two (Pouteria adolfi-friederici and Schefflera abyssinica), Community three (Millettia ferruginea and Sapium ellipticum), community four (Hagenia abyssinica and Dombeya torrida), community five (Schefflera-volkensi and Maesa lanceolata). Sorensen similarity coefficient showed that communities 1, 2, 3, and 5 are more similar to each other while community four is less similar. On the other hand, the beta diversity for communities 1, 2, 3, and 5 were 0.25, 0.27, 0.39, and 0.28 respectively while community four has a higher beta diversity index (0.71) indicating low similarity with the rest of the plant communities. In conclusion community 1, 2 and 3 has a high diversity of bee flora and therefore, integration of these communities with beekeeping is recommended.

Identification and characterization of honeybee flora calendar in Southwest Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

“…Herbs were the most dominant bee flora, accounting for 62 (44%) of a total of 141 honeybee plant species, followed by trees at 48 (34%) and shrubs at 31 (22%), respectively. This finding is consistent with previous findings, as herbs are the most dominant bee flora plants in different parts of Ethiopia (Teklay 2011;Abebe and Temam 2016;Addi 2018;Bareke and Addi 2019;Bareke and Addi 2020). The predominant of herbs are due to disturbance and existence of gaps in the forest (Bareke and Addi 2019).…”

“…Low temperatures may also impede the growth and flowering of bee plant species, which would reduce pollen production and nectar secretion. The findings are consistent with those of studies carried out in the Kaffa zone, southeast Oromia zone, and central Ethiopia by Lemessa and Addi (2009) and Bareke and Addi (2020), respectively. Contrary to the current findings, Wubie et al (2014) reported that most pollen grains were collected during the main rainy season.…”

“…Apiculture is a livestock industry that contributes significantly to a country's national and international economies, mainly in Africa. Ethiopia is still one of the top ten natural honey producers worldwide due to its diverse floral resources and favorable ecosystem conditions (Fichtl and Admassu 1994;Gidey and Mekonen 2010; Bareke and Addi 2020). It, directly and indirectly, contributes to household income and the national economy (Fenet and Alemayehu 2016).…”

“…Beekeeping conserves natural resources and protects the global environment. It can be integrated with agricultural practices like crop production, horticulture crops, and the conservation of natural resources (Gezahegn 2001;Bareke and Addi 2020). Honey bees require feed for their production and reproduction, like other livestock species.…”

Allometric equation for aboveground biomass estimation of Galiniera saxifraga (Hochst.) Bridson in Gesha-Sayilem forest, southwestern Ethiopia

“…The fragrance of the flowers attracts honeybees for nectar and pollen. It is one of the major honey source plants during September, October, and November in Gesha-Sayilem forest southwest Ethiopia (Bareke and Addi 2020). It contributes to honey production in association with other plants.…”