The role of plant diversity and density in the availability of floral resources for effective pollination and honey production by the honey bee (Apis mellifera) in arid areas

Plants are vital for honey production, supplying nectar and pollen that honey bees (Apis mellifera) use for nutrition and honey production. This study assessed the role of plant diversity and abundance in honey bee foraging in the semi-arid Dodoma region, Tanzania. Sampling plots were set up at 500 m intervals from beehives and observed for foraging bees from January to December 2023. I used negative binomial mixed-effect models to identify the factors influencing bee foraging and the number of flowers per plant. Bees were observed foraging on 21 plant species during the study period, with the majority being non-native shrubs and herbs. The number of foraging bees differed between plant species (χ2 21, 347= 55.843, p < 0.001), where species that produce many flowers had more foraging bees. The number of foraging bees also varied between months (χ2 9, 347= 80.22, p < 0.001), corresponding to the abundance of flowers in each month. Further, the number of foraging bees increased with plant diversity (χ2 1, 347, = 11.847, p = 0.008) per plot. The study underscores the importance of plant diversity in providing a continuous supply of floral resources that sustain bee foraging activities and honey production. A diverse community of native and non-native flowering plants provides consistent foraging opportunities throughout the year. Thus, afforestation programs in the Dodoma region should prioritise the conservation of key plant species to support pollinators and enhance honey production.