Abstract
AbstractRecent studies reveal the use of tree cavities by wild honeybee colonies in European forests. This highlights the conservation potential of forests for a highly threatened component of the native entomofauna in Europe, but currently no estimate of potential wild honeybee population sizes exists. Here, we analyzed the tree cavity densities of 106 forest areas across Europe and inferred an expected population size of wild honeybees. Both forest and management types affected the density of tree cavities. Accordingly, we estimated that more than 80,000 wild honeybee colonies could be sustained in European forests. As expected, potential conservation hotspots were identified in unmanaged forests, and, surprisingly, also in other large forest areas across Europe. Our results contribute to the EU policy strategy to halt pollinator declines and reveal the potential of forest areas for the conservation of so far neglected wild honeybee populations in Europe.
Highlights
In Europe, the western honeybee Apis mellifera exhibits a dual nature as managed and wild species (Requier et al, 2019a)
Despite wild populations of A. mellifera being a threatened component of the native fauna, little attention has been paid to these populations (Kohl & Rutschmann, 2018; Requier et al, 2019a)
We identified the potential conservation hotspots of wild honeybee colonies on the basis of the predicted densities of suitable tree cavities across Europe
Summary
In Europe, the western honeybee Apis mellifera exhibits a dual nature as managed and wild species (Requier et al, 2019a). Despite wild populations of A. mellifera being a threatened component of the native fauna, little attention has been paid to these populations (Kohl & Rutschmann, 2018; Requier et al, 2019a). EU-wide pollinator monitoring schemes have been planned for assessing the status and. Trends of pollinator species (European Commission, 2018), little attention has been paid so far to the monitoring of wild honeybee populations (Requier & Crewe, 2019). Recent studies have shown that wild colonies of A. mellifera can still be found in Europe (Kohl & Rutschmann, 2018; Oleksa, Gawronski, & Tofilski, 2013), underpinning the need to increase knowledge on these populations (Alaux, Le Conte, & Decourtye, 2019; Requier et al, 2019a; Requier & Crewe, 2019)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
