Agronomic activities and Seasonal Variations on Abundance and Diversity of bee Species and the state of knowledge of pollinator importance in Loitokitok Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Honey bees are prone to agronomic activities such as misuse of agrochemicals, land fragmentation, alteration of natural habitats and change in land use patterns. Understanding how bee species respond to habitat destruction is significant towards development of effective measures to ensure that the environment is protected and conserved. The study sought to assess the effects of agronomic activities and seasonal variations on abundance and diversity of bee species and the state of knowledge of pollinator importance in Loitokitok sub-county, Kenya. Experimental research design comprising of three different habitats was conducted in order to establish effects of agronomic activities on bee abundance and diversity and state of knowledge of pollinator importance in Loitokitok Sub-County, Kenya. The study aimed at evaluating the effect of agronomic practices on the diversity and abundance of bee species, determining the impact of seasonal weather variations on abundance and diversity of bee species and assessing the state of knowledge of pollinator importance among small-holder farmers in Loitokitok sub county, Kenya. The study area was stratified into three habitats (1) cultivated farm, (2) rangeland (3) natural forest. A survey of the study area was done and the habitats identified. A sample area of 1 × 1 km square was picked at random from each of the three study areas. The selected areas were further sub-divided into 0.5 × 0.5 km smaller study areas and a total of 3 belts were laid down randomly within the small study areas. Sampling of the bees was done for 3 months using a sweep net and pan traps to collect the bee species. Shannon Weiner diversity index was used to compute diversity and richness of honey bee species. One way ANOVA was used to compute the statistical significance of bee species abundance across the three habitats. A total of 1,106 bee specimens from 2 families and 7 species were collected from the three study habitats. Apis mellifera, was the most abundant bee species followed by Pseudapis spp., Lasioglossum spp., Xylocopa spp., Braunsapis spp., Ceratina spp. while Heriades spp. was the least abundant bee species. Natural edge habitat had the highest bee species abundance followed by rangeland while cultivated habitat had the least bee species abundance. Cultivated habitat recorded highest diversity index, H/= 1.511 followed by rangeland with H/= 1.424 while the natural habitat had the least at H/= 1.351. However, the overall diversity index was H/= 1.43. There was a statistical significance (p<0.05) between cultivated habitat & rangeland, cultivated habitat & natural forest edge and also between rangeland & natural forest edge respectively. Seasonal weather changes influenced bee species abundance and diversity in the study area. The bee species abundance and diversity were greater during the rainy season as compared to the dry season. This study reveals that agronomic activities had an influence on bee species abundance and diversity. Farmers demonstrated substantial knowledge of bees, with about 90% identifying different species and recognizing nest sites and food resources. More than 86% had experience in honey harvesting, while most understood the importance of bee visits to crops and live fence flowers. Notably, 90.9% expressed willingness to promote bee populations on their farmlands. Therefore, the local community, farmers and other stakeholders should be sensitized on the importance of bee conservation and its contribution to their welfare and on utilization of cost-effective approaches towards bee management and conservation.