Comprehensive review on beekeeping sector in Morocco : honey bees diversity, health, challenges and conservation needs

In a survey of bee’s species diversity, Morocco has been ranked in the second position in Africa; and as the fifth richest country in the Mediterranean region among other countries in terms of diversity within bee species (Ascher and Pickering, 2019). This proves the essential pollination services provided by beekeeping, which plays an important role in the agriculture sector by providing essential pollination services and a valuable source of income for local populations. In this review, we offer an overview of the current state of the beekeeping sector in Morocco. While the existing literature remains limited and has largely focused on evaluating the biological effects of hive products; particularly propolis and honey; our objective in this review is to highlight recent advancements and persistent challenges specific to Moroccan honey bees subspecies, as well as the main threats affecting their survival. First, we present an updated overview of the beekeeping sector using the latest available statistics. We then examine the diversity and geographic distribution of Moroccan honey bees subspecies, with special emphasis on the status and conservation issues faced by local subspecies such as the Saharan honey bees. The review also evaluates the current health status of honey bees populations and analyzes the primary factors contributing to colony loss events. In each section, we identify key knowledge gaps and outline priority research needs essential for improving the resilience and sustainability of these populations. Finally, we propose future research directions that merit further investigation and that could support effective conservation strategies.