The Influence of Climate Change on the Foraging Behavior of Bees and the Quality of Apicultural Products: A Review
Keywords:
bee colonies, climate change, foraging behavior, meteorological factors.Abstract
Climate change has a significant impact on ecosystems, and honey bees (Apis mellifera), responsible for pollination and maintaining biodiversity, are among the most affected species. Changes in climatic factors directly affect the behavior of foraging bees. These changes influence the relationship between the flight period and the flowering period of plants, thus leading to a decrease in the efficiency of nectar and pollen collection. Due to thermal stress and reduced floral resources, the structure of bee colonies and their ability to maintain constant production are affected. Consequently, the quality of bee products: honey, pollen, propolis, bee venom, and royal jelly, undergoes changes in terms of their physicochemical composition. As a result, honey may exhibit variations in its sugar content, moisture levels, and volatile compounds, pollen tends to be lower in nutrients, while propolis may change its phytochemical composition. In addition to the impact on the dynamics of bee colonies, climate change also influences the spread of various diseases and parasites, such as Varroa destructor and Nosema spp., which significantly impact bees longevity and brood development. In this paper, we aim to highlight the negative impact that climate change can have on worker bees, as well as the potential changes in the quality of apicultural products.
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