GIS Approach for Determining the Optimum Spatiotemporal Plan for Beekeeping and Honey Production in Hot-Arid Subtropical Ecosystems

Abstract

Remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) technology have seldom been used in apiculture. We applied these tools to map the optimum honey bee colony carrying capacity and estimate honey production during the honey flow of 'Talh' trees (Acacia gerrardii Benth. [Fabaceae: Mimosoideae]) in the Rawdat-Khuraim oasis, central Saudi Arabia. A SPOT 5 panchromatic image (2.5-m resolution) was used to delineate the distribution of Talh trees. ArcGIS was used in image processing and data management, analysis, and visualization. The outputs were maps of Talh distribution, an optimum spatiotemporal beekeeping plan, and predicted potential honey yield. Each Talh tree was predicted to produce a theoretical maximum of 8.5-kg Talh honey per season. Under the current nonoptimum distribution of apiaries, Rawdat-Khuraim produces 4,876-kg honey per season. Optimally, it should produce 9,619-kg honey per season from 1,278 colonies distributed in 12 beekeeping sites. This study provides a technical approach for the use of RS and GIS in describing, planning, and managing honey flows and predicting honey harvest through a spatiotemporal workflow.