Assessment of abundance and diversity of bee species in various agroecological zones in Loitokitok Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The bee community is prone to great threats, especially from agronomic activities and climate change. Understanding how bee species vary in abundance and diversity in various agroecological zones is significant towards the development of effective measures to ensure that the environment is protected and conserved. Thus, this study sought to assess the abundance and diversity of bee species in various agroecological zones in Loitokitok sub-county, Kenya. An experimental research design comprising three different habitats was conducted. The study area was stratified into three habitats: (1) cultivated farm, (2) rangeland, and (3) natural forest. A survey of the study area was done, and the habitats were identified. A sample area of 1 × 1 km square was picked at random from each of the three study areas. The selected areas were further subdivided into 0.5 × 0.5 km smaller study areas, and a total of 3 belts were laid down randomly within the small study areas. Sampling of the bees was done for 3 months using a sweep net and pan traps to collect the bee species. The Shannon Weiner diversity index was used to compute the diversity and richness of honey bee species. A one-way ANOVA was used to compute the statistical significance of bee species abundance across the three habitats. A total of 1,106 bee specimens from 2 families and 7 species were collected from the three study habitats. Apis mellifera was the most abundant bee species, followed by Pseudapis spp., Lasioglossum spp., Xylocopa spp., Braunsapis spp., and Ceratina spp., while Heriades spp. was the least abundant bee species. Natural edge habitat had the highest bee species abundance, followed by rangeland, while cultivated habitat had the least bee species abundance. Cultivated habitat recorded the highest diversity index, H/= 1.511 followed by rangeland with H/= 1.424 while natural habitat had the least at H/= 1.351. However, the overall diversity index was H/=1.43. This study reveals that agronomic activities had an influence on bee species abundance and diversity. Therefore, the findings from this study can be used to devise policies for adoption in sensitising farmers, the public, and relevant stakeholders on the importance of bees, their contribution to livelihood, and their role in enhancing food security and the maintenance of forest cover. Key words: Abundance, Diversity, Agronomic, Apis, Loitokitok