An increased mortality is observed among the bee populations all over the world. This is not only detrimental to honey production, but above all a threat to the maintenance of our biodiversity.
Using a spatially explicit statistical analysis, causal relationships were identified between measured winter mortality rates of honeybee colonies in Belgium and potential explanatory variables, both natural and anthropogenic.
The results provide the bee sector steering handles for targeted and efficient interventions to reduce the winter mortality of honeybee colonies.
Independent research co-funded by the FISCH-programme of IWT (at present FWO), Phytofar vzw and VITO NV.
2014-2016