Impact of Climate Change on Honey Bees and The Distribution of Key Melliferous Plant Species in The Southern Area of Mali

Abstract

Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystems, biodiversity and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the specific impact on honey bees and melliferous plants, as well as the perceptions and adaptation strategies of honey producers in response to climate change, have not been adequately explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of climate change on bees and the distribution of three key host species in the southern part of Mali. The study combined beekeeper perceptions and spatial distribution analysis of some key plants. Surveying 209 beekeepers in the Sudanian zone of Mali's Bougouni region revealed that climate change could have adverse effects on bee populations, colony health and productivity due to the rise of temperature, reduction of rainfall and melliferous species loss. The study also emphasized the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) approach and Geographic Information System tools to predict future distribution areas of three plant species using two climatic models BC_BCC-CSM1-1 and HD_HadGEM2-AO. From all the models, results highlighted negative effect of climate change on the future environmental distribution of the three species and the models have predicted very good performance for all the species with a value of Area under Curve greater than 90%. Finally it is recommended to: (i) Establish bees database for Mali; (ii) Collaborate with scientists by promoting formation and information about the importance of bees among beekeepers and general public to find innovative solution and effective conservation strategies;( iii) Protect and conserve natural habitats for providing suitable environments for melliferous species; (iv) Encourage farmers to adopt bee-friendly agricultural practices, such as reducing or avoiding the use of pesticides during flowering periods.