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THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND MILITARY CONFLICTS ON THE SAFETY AND LIVELIHOOD OF BEE FAMILIES

Dr. Volodymyr Zaslavskyi� Professor, Faculty of Computer Science and Cybernetics,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,

Ukraine

Ihor Volokhovych

Phd student, Faculty of Computer Science and Cybernetics,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,

Ukraine

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Beekeeping – a multifunctional industry

Important for society and economy

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The role of bees in plant reproduction

  • Pollination of 87% of flowering species worldwide
  • 75% of food crops depend on pollination

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Beekeeping products

  • Honey - a healthy food product and natural sweetener
  • Annual production volume: ~1.85 million tons
  • Use in folk medicine
  • Beeswax - for cosmetics, candles, food processing
  • Other products: propolis, royal jelly, pollen

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The impact of bees on the environment

  • Improvement of ecosystem and biodiversity
  • Pollination of 87.5% of flowering plants
  • Reproduction of wild �flowering plants
  • Preservation of genetic diversity�and ecosystem resilience

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Modern threats to beekeeping

  1. Decrease in the number of bee �Colonies
    1. Loss of habitats
    2. Overuse of pesticides
    3. Climate change and global �warming
  2. Consequences:
    • Reduction in agricultural production
    • Increase in food prices
    • Decrease in plant diversity

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Ways to protect beekeeping

  • Measures to protect natural resources
  • New methods of keeping bees
  • The importance of a sensible approach �to reducing threats

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Climate Change and Beekeeping

  • Global warming and climate variability impact bees and beekeeping
  • Challenges for bees to adapt to changing conditions
  • Flowering seasons may shift, disrupting bee-flower synchrony

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Effects on Bee Populations and Distribution

  1. Some bee species unable to survive in warmer temperatures
  2. Bee populations moving to higher altitudes and further north
  3. Localized extinctions and loss of pollination services

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Strategies to Mitigate Climate Change Effects

  1. Utilize different varieties of bees
  2. Control regions where different bees interact
  3. Protect wild bee diversity for better crop yields
  4. Implement type variety principle:
    1. High bee species richness �improves pollination �and ecosystem resilience

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Importance of Bee Adaptability

  1. Bees more efficient in climates they are adapted to
    1. European honeybee (Apis mellifera) dominates in temperate climates
    2. Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) thrives in warmer areas
  2. Preserving a range of bee species is critical for pollination services across different climates and landscapes

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Impact on Bee Products

  • Changes in weather patterns affect the quantity and quality of bee products
  • Increased temperatures may modify honey composition and reduce its market value
  • Plant building and phenology changes can compromise honey production

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Impact of Military Conflicts on Beekeeping

  1. Destruction of infrastructure and displacement of populations disrupt beekeeping practices
  2. Heavy metals and pollutants from military activities accumulate in bee products
    1. Risks to human health and the environment
  3. Chemical weapons and toxic substances have devastating effects on bees and pollinators

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Consequences of Military Conflicts on Bee Health

  1. Increased mortality
  2. Reduced foraging ability
  3. Impaired immune function
  4. Destruction of natural habitats and agricultural lands reduces floral resources for bees

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Challenges for Beekeepers in Conflict Zones

  1. Loss of hives and equipment
  2. Disruption of traditional beekeeping skills and knowledge transfer
  3. Unintended consequences: demilitarized zones as unexpected refuges for biodiversity

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Mitigating Impacts of Military Conflicts on Beekeeping

  1. Establishing protected areas
  2. Promoting sustainable beekeeping practices
  3. Raising awareness about the importance of pollinators
  4. Leveraging technology for �monitoring and conservation �efforts

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Technological Solutions for Monitoring Bee Populations

  1. Satellite imagery and remote sensing to study impacts of climate change and war on bees
  2. Machine learning and AI to predict bees' responses and assess the spread of invasive species
  3. Automation and digitalization to simplify understanding of bee population trends and dynamics

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Precision Beekeeping and Conservation Strategies

  1. Development of tools using deep learning for optimized beehive placement
  2. Platforms utilizing UAVs, deep learning, and satellite imagery to monitor bees in war zones
  3. Coordination among researchers, practitioners, and local people to develop effective protection strategies
    1. Encouraging appropriate land use
    2. Establishing protected areas
    3. Educating people about the importance of bees

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The Vital Role of Beekeeping

  1. Ensures global food security
  2. Maintains biodiversity
  3. Promotes ecosystem processes
  4. Circular economy

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Threats to Bees and Beekeeping

  1. Climate change
    1. Changes in geographical distribution and number of bee groups
    2. Altered relationships between plants and bees
    3. Low quality and quantity of bee products
  2. Military conflicts
    • Physical destruction of beekeeping structures
    • Pollution
    • Resettlement of people involved in beekeeping

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Overcoming Challenges and Sustaining Beekeeping

  1. Encouraging various types of bees
  2. Employing relevant adaptive technologies
  3. Harnessing high technologies for beekeeping sector reconstruction
    1. Satellite
    2. Machine learning
    3. AI
    4. Automation
  4. Combining new approaches with policy actions and societal engagement

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Thank you for attention!������Questions?