Investigating some beekeeping plants based on beekeeping value, conservation status, and conflicts

Abstract

The honey is the foundation stone of the apiary and the production of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) requires valuable honey plants. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the most important honeybee plant in Hungary, which is the most outstanding in terms of honey, yield and quality. In addition, the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.), the goldenrod species (Solidago spp.), and the false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) are also valuable honey plants. It is important to know that, besides the excellent honey properties of all five species mentioned above, they are also non-native invasive plant species, which can cause very big problems in native ecosystems with their aggressive propagation. For this reason, there is a kind of dichotomy around these plant species, the two sectors (apiary and nature conservation) have different views about these plants for obvious reasons. A questionnaire survey was conducted among beekeepers and professional nature conservationists. The main goal of my research was to reveal of the positions of the two sectors in relation to invasive plant species – contributing to honey production and the exploration of conflicting points and opportunities for cooperation. On the basis of the survey it can be concluded that in most cases neutral relationship is typical. If there are conflicts, from the point of view of the beekeepers, it comes from the destruction of the honey plants (on and around their sites), and from the nature conservation point of view, the planting of the invasive honey species and the incomprehension of the problematic nature of these plant species. Representatives of both sectors believe that effective communication, consultation, sharing of information, and involvement of stakeholders in the two examined and other sectors can assist to resolve the conflicts. Fortunately, there were also examples of collaborative cases that were also linked to effective dialogue and reconciliation. In addition, they were closely associated with selecting the location together and -providing beekeeping products with national park trademark. Another solution to mitigate the conflict would be to expand the range of honey plants later.