Beekeeping and environmental and climatic change in Africa. ApiExpo 2014, Harare, Zimbabwe. Credit: Shutterstock. Goodwell Kadzikano

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1 Beekeeping and environmental and climatic change in Africa. ApiExpo 2014, Harare, Zimbabwe Credit: Shutterstock Goodwell Kadzikano

2 Introduction African climate is varied from the Sahel to the equatorial Congo and savanna in south and south central. Weather variability in Africa due to climate change has adversely affected agricultural production, including apiculture. Climate change data in southern Africa is very limited

3 Contextualising beekeeping in Africa Effect of climatic changes in Africa on the honey bee, Apis Mellifera Scutella, scantily documented Inferences can be made on general habitat and biodiversity loss. Bees are an integral part of the ecosystem High rainfall and moderate temperatures are good conditions to sustain honey colonies.

4 Understanding Climate Change (CC) A significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns. A change in average weather conditions Climate change is caused by factors such as biotic processes and by variations in solar radiation received by Earth

5 CC Weather changes are noticeable in many parts of the world Increased deforestation Increased carbon emissions

6 Beekeeping in Africa Honey plays a critical role in nutrition and medicine. Used for treating coughs, wound healing, and as an ingredient in many herbal remedies. Honey bees cannot survive or make honey without access to abundant sources of nectar and pollen. Beekeepers also know that low altitude vegetation blooms at different times of the year compared to vegetation at higher altitudes.

7 Beekeeping in Africa Beekeeping is a source of food (e.g. honey, pollen and brood), raw materials for various industries (e.g. beeswax candles, lubricants), propolis, and provides income for beekeepers. Bee numbers dwindle with climate change. Bees need crops, flowers, trees and fruits for collecting pollen. Of the 100 crop species that provide 90% of the world s food, over 70 are pollinated by bees

8 Environmental and climatic changes Anthropogenic emissions (e.g. carbon from deforestation) come from open burning in the tropics and are a significant contributor to environmental pollution and climate variation. Degradation of the ecosystems due to extreme weather occurrences increases livelihood vulnerability of humans, flora, fauna, water and land. Climate variability refers to climatic changes occurring fairly regularly. Climate risk reduction includes disaster risk reduction, sustainable land management, forest management, watershed management.

9 Beekeeping in Africa Climate change has to be arrested to protect good quality habitats for bees. There is need to try and reduce habitat loss and the impact of some pesticides on bee populations. There is evidence that bee colonies are in danger from global warming. Experts predict that some species of bees could face extinction while their declining numbers could harm the harvest of a variety of crops.

10 Beekeeping in Africa The declining trend in beekeeping in parts of Africa is attributable to the lack of good bee forage. Cutting down of trees that provide good bee forage has also been increasing. Prolonged dry spells affect nectar production in plants which are normally major sources of nectar. Some plants fail to produce sufficient nectar to support bee colonies. Colony collapse disorder changing flowering times and patterns.

11 Beekeeping in Africa Climatic change in Africa is very broad and the issues thereof are wide and complex. Includes: increased (extreme) rainfall; uncertain rainfall patterns/changes; temperature rises; decreased rainfall; increased floods and severe droughts. Habitat loss (clearing of land and forests) has the environmental impact of forcing some animal species to adapt to hostile habitats but some fail to cope and die. Forest degradation and land cover reduction lead to reduced water infiltration due to increased run-off, resulting in increased erosion.

12 Effects and impacts of environmental and climatic changes on bees i) Ecosystem variations 90% of terrestrial biodiversity is found in forests (including bees). Climate changes have a negative impact on species composition, leading to ecosystem disequilibrium. Increased evapo-transpiration leads to reduced soil moisture and changes to vegetation patterns and types ii) Soil erosion Extreme winds on dry land lead to increased soil erosion, which, in turn, results in an environment that cannot sustain plant life

13 Effects and impacts of environmental and climatic changes on bees iii) Droughts In Zimbabwe, as in other parts of Africa, droughts occur at a most susceptible time for many plants, such as in February. Severe droughts kill most plants that bees would normally go to for pollen and water (affecting flowering and yields). iv) Floods Floods destroy vegetation and other flora on which bees depend for their pollen. v) Fires Extreme dry weather often results in wild fires that destroy flora and the habitat of bees.

14 Conclusions Still a lot needs to be understood and researched on the African climate. Global warming, in turn, negatively contributes to the climatic changes and weather variations such as El Nino and La Nina. These changes have led to changes in weather patterns such as increased temperatures and droughts, which also have a bearing on flora and fauna and honey production in Africa.

15 Recommendations The need for improved environmental management (including better land use) Continued research on the causal links between bee colonies and environmental and climate changes Promote more sustainable agricultural methods which do not promote indiscriminate forest clearance Further research into pragmatic coping strategies to increase honey production despite negative environmental, climatic and weather changes.

16 End Thank you! *Goodwell Kadzikano is a commercial processer and marketer of quality honey. He is contactable on ntinigk@gmail.com