hiveekologi

Hive ecology (hiveekologi) is the study of the ecological relationships governing beehives and their inhabitants, primarily the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) and other hive-dwelling species. It examines how colonies interact with plants, microbes, parasites, predators, and the physical environment, and how these interactions shape colony health, behavior, and reproduction.

Key focus areas include foraging ecology and plant-pollinator interactions, resource dynamics within the colony, and the microclimate of the hive. Hive ecology treats the colony as a superorganism where social organization, division of labor, and thermoregulation influence energy budgets and resilience. Disease dynamics, management-induced stresses, and parasite pressures such as Varroa mites are considered within the ecological context.

Landscape and ecology: nectar and pollen availability, floral diversity and phenology, habitat quality, and landscape configuration affect colony growth and survival. Pesticide exposure and habitat loss are studied for their ecological consequences.

Methods: researchers use field observations, hive monitoring, and modelling, as well as pollen analysis, genetic and microbiome methods, stable isotope tracing, and network analysis of plant-bee interactions. Data from hive scales (weight, temperature) can be integrated with landscape data to understand foraging range and resource use.

Applications: hive ecology informs pollination management, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural planning. It supports beekeeping practices that promote colony health and informs policies on pesticide use, habitat restoration, and urban green space development.