Objectives

WP I aims to document wild and managed bee contribution to the pollination of key crops in the Mediterranean basin, and to design inclusive practices that maximize pollination services to crops, as well as maximize honey production by honey bees and safeguard biodiversity in agroecosystems.

Description of work

Task I.1. Contribution on pollination services (Assess the contribution of insect pollinators to agricultural production (demonstration experiments). Candidate crops prioritarily include apple and oilseed rape)

Task I.2. Carrying capacity of specific crops (Determine the resource based optimal carrying capacity of important local crops based on: i) crop quantity, ii) apiary locations with number of colonies and iii) average mass gain/honey harvest per apiary as a consequence of flow)

Task I.3. Impact of climate changes (Demonstrate the impact of climate changes on crop pollination service, wild bee communities and honey production)