GIS Analysis to Locate More Suitable Wintering Areas for Honey Bee Colonies in Agricultural and Desert Lands

Abstract

The harshest period for honey bee colonies in most countries is the winter season. During this period high percentages of colonies are lost due to low air temperature. Searching for the suitable areas to place bee colonies during winter (wintering) is very essential to reduce colony losses. In this study, several datasets (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed, slope, distance from roads, and distance from plants) were analysed to identify suitable areas for wintering of bee colonies in Egypt with a focus on deserts. Indeed, deserts represent the highest percentage of the Egyptian land. The study classified Egypt into three suitability degrees: more suitable, suitable and less suitable. The south and some western areas contained the more suitable areas while some governorates had only either suitable or less suitable areas. The more suitable areas for bee wintering in deserts concentrated mainly at Matrouh and Red Sea governorates, and some areas in South Sinai and Al Wadi Al Gadid governorates. The equal contribution of datasets in the suitability map was tested and confirmed by creating a modified suitability map. It is better for beekeepers to keep their colonies in dry and warm areas during winter. The method presented in this study can be employed by other researchers to boost survival of bee colonies during winter in their countries.