Determining spatio-temporal distribution of bee forage species of Al-Baha region based on ground inventorying supported with GIS applications and Remote Sensed Satellite Image analysis

Abstract

In arid zones, the shortage of bee forage is critical and usually compels beekeepers to move their colonies in search of better forages. Identifying and mapping the spatiotemporal distribution of the bee forages over given area is important for better management of bee colonies. In this study honey bee plants in the target areas were inventoried following, ground inventory work supported with GIS applications. The study was conducted on 85 large plots of 50 × 50 m each. At each plot, data on species name, height, base diameter, crown height, crown diameter has been taken for each plant with their respective geographical positions. The data were stored, and processed using Trimble GPS supported with ArcGIS10 software program. The data were used to estimate the relative frequency, density, abundance and species diversity, species important value index and apicultural value of the species. In addition, Remotely Sensed Satellite Image of the area was obtained and processed using Hopfield Artificial Neural Network techniques. During the study, 182 species from 49 plant families were identified as bee forages of the target area. From the total number of species; shrubs, herbs and trees were accounting for 61%, 27.67%, and 11.53% respectively. Of which ,, ,, , and were the major nectar source plants of the area in their degree of importance. The average vegetation cover values of the study areas were low (<30%) with low Shannon's species diversity indices (H') of 0.5-1.52 for different sites. Based on the eco-climatological factors and the variations in their flowering period, these major bee forage species were found to form eight distinct spatiotemporal categories which allow beekeepers to migrate their colonies to exploit the resources at different seasons and place. The Remote Sensed Satellite Image analysis confirmed the spatial distribution of the bee forage resources as determined by the ground inventory work. An integrated approach, combining the ground inventory work with GIS and satellite image processing techniques could be an important tool for characterizing and mapping the available bee forage resources leading to their efficient and sustainable utilization.

Nectar and pollen sources for honeybees in Kafrelsheikh province of northern Egypt

“…represented 4.55% of the identified plants produced surplus honey in Kafrelsheikh province. This percentage is higher than that (3.30%) for bee plants in Al-Baha region (Adgaba et al, 2017), and that (3.80%) in Al-Ahsa province (Taha, 2015a) in Saudi Arabia, and that (1.6%) of world bee plants (Crane, 1990), while our percentage is too low compared with that (51.44%) of Villanueva (1989) in Iran. Beekeepers in Kafrelsheikh province usually harvest honey yield during the blooming seasons of Citrus spp., T. alexdrinum and Gossypium spp.…”

“…In Mexico, 102 plant species were visited by the bees (Villanueva, 1989). In Saudi Arabia, 79 bee plant species belonging to 24 botanical families were recorded as nectar and/or pollen sources in Al-Ahsa province (Taha, 2015a), meanwhile 182 species from 49 plant families were identified as bee forages in Al-Baha region (Adgaba et al, 2017).…”

“…Studies on nectar and/or pollen plants for honeybees were conducted in Brazil (Luz and Barth, 2012); in Costa Rica (Freitas, 1994); in Bulgaria (Atanassova and Lazarova, 2010); in Egypt (Taha, 2000, Helal et al, 2003, Fathy, 2008, Ismail et al, 2013, Abou-Shaara, 2015, Esmael et al, 2016); in Germany (Köppler et al, 2007, Beil et al, 2008); in India (Singh, 2003); in Iran (Mossadegh, 1990); in Italy (Fortunato et al, 2006); in Mexico (Villanueva, 1989); in Nibal (Paudayal and Gautam, 2011); in Nigeria (Dukku, 2003); in Palestine (Reyahi, 1999); in Philippines (Payawal et al, 1991); in Poland (Wróblewska et al, 2010); in Saudi Arabia (Taha, 2013, Taha, 2015a, Taha, 2015b, Taha et al, 2016, Adgaba et al, 2017, Al-Kahtani et al, 2017, Taha et al, 2019); in Spain (Seijo et al, 1994); in Turkey (Bilisik et al 2008); in USA (Baum et al, 2011).…”

Honey and Diabetes: The Importance of Natural Simple Sugars in Diet for Preventing and Treating Different Type of Diabetes

“…As stated recently [ 107 ], “The use of honey in diabetic patients still has obstacles and challenges and needs more large sample sized, multicenter clinical controlled studies to reach better conclusions.”…”

Geographical Information System for Beekeeping Development

“…Changes in land cover in regard to vegetation can be studied using GIS and RS to understand impacts on honey production (Abou-Shaara, 2013b). In the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia, spatiotemporal distributions of the bee forages were mapped using GIS (Adgaba et al, 2017), and the resulting maps clearly show the distribution of the flowering plants and their area in the study location. Also, the seasonal maps can be prepared to exactly show the flowering plants and their area per each season and help beekeepers to obtain the highest productivity from their colonies especially if predicted with GIS (Janssens, Bruneau, & Lebrun, 2006).…”