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By Ikram Ben Yezza
In a stark warning reminiscent of doomsday prophecies, Albert Einstein once declared, " If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. ".
Despite their unassuming presence, bees find themselves besieged by a complex crisis. Every year, up to 30% of bee colonies disappear due to various factors such as habitat destruction, lethal pesticides, insidious parasites and shifting climates. However, there is a glimmer of hope in Tunisia, where engineers and researchers have developed an innovative bee monitoring system to preserve the health of bees. This system not only helps in preserving the health of bees but also ensures the adaptability of beehives to the unpredictable effects of climate change.
Honey in Tunisia : Smart Beehives Revolutionizing Bee Care
As the sun rises up and the darkness disappears, Walid, a dedicated beekeeper, is already in motion. Suddenly, his phone screen lights up with an important notification from the Tunisian app "SmartBee," which monitors his intelligent beehives. The alert warns him of a critical temperature change. Without a second thought, Walid heads towards his bees, central to his daily routine. In this morning ritual, every action of Walid's is crucial to ensuring the well-being of his colonies and securing a thriving honey production.
The beekeeper Walid Naggara with his hives, set up in Sidi Thabet, northwest of Tunis.
Perched on a hillside on his family's property in Sidi Thabet, northwest of Tunis, 47-year-old Walid Nagara meticulously tends to his hives. When he opens the shutter of one of his hives, he reveals a small, white, decoder-like device that continuously monitors vital variables, transmitting instant alerts via the Smart Bee app.
" Imagine being able to live alongside the bees in their own beehives! Well, thanks to this solution, that became a reality ! " Walid exclaimed joyfully. "It has helped us comprehend their behaviors and implement effective interventions for optimal management."
The application was developed by Beekeeper Tech, a Tunisian start-up that has created an innovative infrared sensor device.. This device provides valuable and continuous data on the environment and health of bees, at an affordable price. Khaled Bouchoucha, the CEO and founder of the start-up, has had a profound interest in beekeeping from a young age, due to his family heritage and his father's passion for beekeeping. As he grew older, his connection to beekeeping deepened, especially when he witnessed the significant loss of half of his father's beehives in 2011.
" Upon witnessing the anguish etched on my father's face in the wake of his bees' demise, I redirected my engineering mindset towards contemplating an expedition into the enigmatic and opulent domain of bees. " Khaled says wistfully.
The co-founder of Beekeeper Tech, Khaled Bouchoucha, at an exhibition, showcasing his Smart Bee box to interested attendees.
Global Bee Crisis Echoes in Tunisia's Fields
In the intricate dance of ecological balance, bees, despite their remarkable adaptability, find themselves at the mercy of our planet's shifting dynamics. Over the last two decades, a somber narrative has unfolded across the globe : bee populations are dwindling at an alarming rate. Although intensive agriculture and the extensive use of pesticides are often blamed for this decline, the temperature is another factor that is silently contributing to the problem.
Climate change-induced perils like prolonged droughts, abrupt temperature fluctuations, and ferocious storms aren't mere spectacles on the meteorological stage; they are active agents wreaking havoc on bee colonies' vitality. A recent study conducted by Simon Fraser University in Canada illuminates this harsh reality, revealing that temperature swings have taken a significant toll on the majority of bumblebee species over the past century and more. Surprisingly, these fluctuations inflict more damage than factors traditionally considered, such as precipitation patterns or floral availability.
“ In Tunisia, as in numerous regions worldwide, the impacts of climate change are starkly evident across various sectors, particularly in agriculture, spanning from its largest components to the smallest, such as bees." confirms Mnaouar Jammeli, chief scientific officer at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia and a co-founder of Beekeeper Tech.
Despite its burgeoning significance, the tunisian beekeeping sector, boasting over 12,000 beekeepers, frequently remains overlooked economically, even as it grapples with additional environmental hurdles, such the critical temperature elevation,
"In the golden era of the 90s, our hives overflowed with 70 kilograms of honey. However, today, as we confront shrinking flowers, pesticide deluge, and rising temperatures, we find ourselves in a battle to save our legacy, which is also the case of many beekeepers across the Mediterranean," sadly noted Walid.
The beekeeper Walid Naggara with other beekeepers checking the condition of the bees.
Bees are experts in thermoregulation and they maintain the temperature of the brood at a specific level of 34.5 ± 0.5 °C, despite environmental fluctuations. However, a study conducted in the Fergana region, Uzbekistan, by the Holosiivska Educational and Research Apiary of NULES of Ukraine, highlights the harmful consequences of any elevation beyond the usual temperature range : bees exhibit behavioral and cognitive deficits, particularly in terms of their learning abilities, memory, and, most importantly, their flight activities. This directly affects the efficiency of pollination services, which have both ecological and economic benefits.
A gathering of bees as a hive frame is removed
In the realm of beekeeping, rising temperatures pose a dual threat, disrupting hive balance and endangering bee health. Professor Peter Neumann's recent literature review from the Institute of Bee Health in Bern, Switzerland, highlights these risks. High temperatures eliminate crucial broodless periods, fueling the breeding of Varroa and Tropilaelaps mites, major bee pests. Additionally, they create favorable conditions for invasive species like small hive beetles and yellow-legged hornets, further stressing colonies.
This combination of mite infestations and invasive predators weakens bee colonies already struggling with heat stress and disrupted brood cycles. Such impacts underscore the urgent need for proactive management strategies to protect the health and survival of these vital pollinators.
Varroua mite in hive, on the left of the bee
The confluence of various stressors adds to the enigma of Colony Collapse Disorder, marked by the abrupt vanishing of mature bee populations within colonies, with no trace of deceased bees in proximity. This phenomenon, suspected to be triggered by pathogens and worsened by temperature irregularities, highlights the complex relationship between environmental elements and bee well-being.
"In Morocco, Colony Collapse Disorder has resulted in a staggering 70% mortality rate among bees in 2022," Khaled reports. "Similarly, Tunisia witnessed a troubling trend, with significant mortality rates plaguing bee colonies throughout 2022 and 2023."
In the MENA region, where 22 million beehives are active, bee mortality remains a significant challenge, with an average rate of 67% over the past four years. This results in the loss of nearly 14 million hives annually, representing an estimated economic loss of $2.9 billion. However, the use of advanced technologies could reduce this mortality rate from 60% to 20%, potentially conserving nine million hives each year and generating $1.8 billion in potential gains. These advancements also offer the opportunity to increase hive productivity by over 20% and reduce mortality by 15%, providing significant opportunities for beekeepers in the region, according to Khaled, CEO of Beekeeper Tech.
SmartBee : A Glimmer of Hope in the Darkness
SmartBee, a revolutionary solution crafted by Tunisian innovators, stands as the ultimate safeguard for beekeepers: protecting hives against external intrusions using GPS technology.. In the realm of technological advancements, the ambitious Khaled didn't merely settle for hive protection from the outside. He pressed forward by developing a comprehensive detection system to monitor the hive from within. Leveraging a set of sensors, the solution monitors temperature and humidity within brood cells, providing insights into the vital signs of a healthy and productive hive.
"Typically, beekeepers know what needs to be done, but they lack real-time information because they have to physically inspect the hive." explains Khaled, the CEO.
This isn't something they can do every day. SmartBee thus empowers them to address hive issues through timely alerts received via the application.
" The beekeeper witnesses the devastating impacts of climate change on his business and his hives, " Khaled states. " While adaptation is necessary, finding the appropriate solutions remains a major challenge. "
The startup will leverage its extensive database on bees and beekeepers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, using data collected by the SmartBee application to identify the most productive hives and those best suited to local conditions.This approach aims to pinpoint the most promising queens for raising colonies endowed with genetic traits conducive to resistance to environmental changes.
" We have developed a specialized department in genetic selection and hope to soon commercialize queens adapted to their environment, which represents a major breakthrough in the scientific field. " confidently announces Khaled.
When there's a will, there's a way to take action !
The rise of 5G and other similar communication technologies promises a future where everything, from homes to entire cities, is seamlessly interconnected. However, hidden within this web of connectivity lies a less recognized reality : the profound environmental impacts. The planned proliferation of radio frequency transmitters can pose a significant threat to the environment, which may trigger unprecedented global environmental shifts.A study by Punjab University, India found cell phone radiation altered bee behavior and physiology significantly. This revelation led to signing by 305,108 signatories from 218 nations and territories the "Stop 5G on Earth and in Space" petition, aimed at protecting bee populations. But, this could be also done to protect bees from climate change ?
An international effort to safeguard pollinators gains momentum with the launch of a new app by the Integrated Crop Pollination (ICP) Project, backed by USDA NIFA's Specialty Crop Research Initiative. This app enables users to simulate land management strategies and assess their impact on bee populations. Through pollination, productivity, and cost-benefit analyses, farmers can optimize their decisions for maximum return on investment. Another world-first smartphone application is helping ensure the safety of bees during normal farming practices : BeeConnected. It's a kind of geomap based, user-driven communication and coordination tool to help protect Australia's honey bee population.
These are significant advancements, yet there is still much progress to be made. It is crucial for scientists, beekeepers, and all concerned parties to unite and devise a robust plan to combat the escalating impact of climate change on bees and other pollinators. As Professor Mnaouar Djemali emphasized, "In a world plagued by disease and conflict, collective action is essential to fortify our food security and sovereignty." Through collaborative efforts, we can forge a sustainable future for beekeeping and ensure that pollinators continue to fulfill their indispensable role in food production. The time for action is now. Let's join forces and secure a promising future for bees and their invaluable contributions to our well-being.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Ikram Ben Yezza and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
Sources :
https://www.apia.com.tn/medias/files/miel.pdf
https://agridurable.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fiche-pratique-de-lapiculture.pdf
https://www.apiservices.biz/documents/articles-fr/mortalite_abeilles.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218839.2023.2247115
Publié le 05/06/24 11:54
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