Effects of plant community composition and flowering phenology on honeybee foraging in Mediterranean sylvo‐pastoral systems. Issue 4 (7th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bagella, Simonetta; Satta, Alberto; Floris, Ignazio; Caria, Maria Carmela; Rossetti, Ivo; Podani, János; Acosta, Alicia
• Is Part Of: Applied vegetation science. Volume 16:Issue 4(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 689
• Page End: 697
• Publication Date: 2013-01-07
• Subjects: Plant ecology -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; Plant populations -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; 581.705
• DOI: 10.1111/avsc.12023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1402-2001

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="avsc12023-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="avsc12023-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Questions</title> <p>Which are the most effective plant communities for honeybee foraging and honey production in Mediterranean sylvo‐pastoral systems? What is the relationship between flowering phenology and pollen occurring in honey sediments?</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12023-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Location</title> <p>Mediterranean sylvo‐pastoral system in Gallura, Sardinia, Italy.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12023-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Phytosociological and phenological surveys were performed in a circular area of 1.5 km radius with a small apiary placed in the centre. Polleniferous and nectariferous values of plant communities were assessed based on the cover and the polleniferous and nectariferous value of each constituting species. Honey production was quantified during the main flow (March–June) and subjected to melissopalynological analysis. Data were evaluated by ordination through principal components analysis and principal coordinates analysis. The latter utilized a new index, developed for calculating the phenological distances based on the individual distributions of flowering frequencies.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12023-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Plant communities richest in species providing pollen and nectar were <italic>Rhamnus</italic> hedges. There was a close correlation between polleniferous and nectariferous values, suggesting that plant communities are important for honeybee foraging of both resources. The temporal flowering sequence ensured the supply of nectar and pollen throughout the spring season. Pollen foraged from 12 <italic>Trifolium</italic> species with different flowering phenology was the most abundant. <italic>Salix purpurea</italic> and <italic>Rhamnus alaternus</italic> were productive at the beginning of the season, followed by <italic>Lavandula stoechas</italic>, <italic> Echium plantagineum</italic> and <italic>E. italicum</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12023-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Plant communities vary in importance for honeybee foraging mainly due to differences in floristic composition and flowering phenology. Communities characterized by human presence (e.g. semi‐natural grasslands and hedges) are the most relevant. Some target species (e.g. <italic>Trifolium</italic> spp.) favoured by grazing livestock ensure foraging for honeybees throughout the season. Plant communities of wild areas, such as the garrigue vegetation, provide foraging for unifloral valuable honey (i.e. '<italic>Lavandula</italic>' honey).</p> </sec> </abstract>