Sustainable Beekeeping under Climate Change Conditions: Risk Drivers and Adaptation Strategies in the Poro Region, Northern Cote d'Ivoire

Abstract

A great deal of research has shown that climate change is one of the current threats to pollinators. It has a significant influence on other strictly related factors, such as diseases and predators, causing the weakening and desertion of honey bees. The loss of colonies, damage bees could pose a threat to global food security and leave the beekeeping sector vulnerable. However, the literature lacks information on the effects of anthropogenic change and activities on beekeeping in the Poro region, Côte d'Ivoire. This study aims to contribute to greater resilience and sustainability of the beekeeping sector in the face of the interactions of climate change and anthropogenic factors in the north of Côte d'Ivoire. The hypothesis is that the sustainability and resilience of beekeeping are influenced by climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions, and can be ensured by adopting strategies. The study used a mixed methodological approach, integrating a literature review of 43 relevant articles to assess the current state of beekeeping and identify challenges, surveys of 162 beekeepers, an interview with the federation of beekeepers, focus group discussions (5), field observations and an inventory of melliferous plants. The evaluation of the impacts of climate parameters on beekeeping productivity, a combination of multicriteria analysis AHP and GIS for the analysis of favourable areas, the analysis of beekeepers' vulnerability using the IPCC 2014 conceptual framework of vulnerability and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the evaluation of the effectiveness of adaptation strategies using AHP and the development of new strategies. The results showed that there are more than 100 melliferous species identified in the country, resulting in good quality honeys. Despite this, there are socio-economic and environmental challenges to be overcome, such as pesticides and habitat destruction, which affect bees, leading to a disruption of their ecosystem services. The beekeepers' perceptions of the climatic parameters are confirmed by an analysis of their trend, which shows a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperature, whereas the trend in production differs from their perception of their production. Precipitation influenced production (r= 0.78, p= 0.04 (p < 0.05)), while the impact of temperature (r = 0.02, p = 0.96 (p < 0.05)) was masked by other factors such as humidity and beekeeping practices. 20 species of melliferous plants were identified, showing preferences for certain species such as Detarium microcarpum, Hyptis suaveolens. Unsuitable areas (59%) are more extensive than suitable areas (41%), highlighting the importance of the proximity of bees to floral diversity, water availability and roads. Beekeepers are vulnerable due to susceptibility factors such as household size, production, desertion, pesticides, age and income from beekeeping. Beekeepers' ability to adapt is limited by the index of practices, experience, cooperatives, funding and education. The use of a water reservoir, harvest periods, training in beekeeping, reforestation, location of apiaries are the most effective strategies. The new strategies developed will help beekeepers to mitigate losses and damage and anticipate future dangers by offering solutions to improve their productivity.