Evaluating ecosystem services of the Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica, in a satoyama landscape : flower use and colony development

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  • Fujiwara Ayumi
    Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • Nishihiro Jun
    Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo:(Present office)Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Toho University
  • Washitani Izumi
    Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo

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Other Title
  • さとやま自然再生事業地におけるニホンミツバチの生態系サービス評価 : 花資源利用およびコロニーの発達
  • サ ト ヤマシゼン サイセイ ジギョウチ ニ オケル ニホンミツバチ ノ セイタイケイ サービス ヒョウカ : ハナ シゲン リヨウ オヨビ コロニー ノ ハッタツ

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Abstract

We investigated seasonal flower visitation, brood size, and honey storage in captive colonies of the Japanese honeybee Apis cerana japonica to quantify the species' provision of satoyama ecosystem services. Research took place near Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, where the Kubokawa Ihatov Nature Restoration Project has been initiated to restore satoyama biodiversity. Periodic census data on floral visitation and contact with floral reproductive organs revealed that A. c. japonica may pollinate up to 45 native plant species, three crop species, and two horticultural species. In spring, A. c. japonica workers frequently visited herbaceous plants in fallow paddies and along paddy ridges. Bees favored various trees of the deciduous broad-leaved forest during summer and intensively foraged Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat) fields during autumn. Pollen analysis performed in spring revealed that most pollen was foraged from deciduous trees. Periodic inspection of captive colonies showed that A. c. japonica colonies grew mainly during June and September. These periods may be most suitable for assessing potential honey supply services.

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