Honeybees Research Paper

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The importance of the honeybee, Apis mellifera capensis in the Cape Flora region of the Western Cape, South Africa, is that they contribute to many things within this region such as the pollination of Fynbos and Eucalyptus plants, increased honey yield and fruit production. The Cape honeybees are endemic to the Cape Flora and Fynbos region in South Africa. These bees help increase the volume of honey which is being produced in that region which indirectly contributes to the local economy as it increases the value of honey on the trade market. Thus the honeybees are also being used in fruit farming as this is largely dependent on their services as R1.2 billion in turnover of fruit farming in the Western Cape, South Africa is attributed to …show more content…

These bees also function as bio- indicators as they are used to monitor the environmental stressors brought on by chemical and physical factors. These bees are useful in sampling of the environment as they assess the atmospheric and other forms of pollination.
The environmental stressors are the factors that affect the ecological functioning of honeybees which were brought on by grazing practices, habitat loss and agricultural farming practices. Habitat loss cause a negative impact on the decline of honeybees as vegetation is vital to providing nectar and food for the bee to produce pollen and honey. When vegetation is removed, bees are forced to migrate to environments that accommodate their needs to survive. Habitat loss, such as deforestation and the loss of the natural environment due to the building of cities and towns, where wild bee species are found, are at risk. Bees tend to …show more content…

Beeswax is used to manufacture products such as wood polish and candles and honey is used in food, wine and cosmetic products, therefore making beeswax and honey valuable economic sources. South Africa has a shortage of honey and so relies on the importing of honey (Cape Times, 2014). If more beekeepers are trained and more bee farms are started, this could increase job opportunities and unemployment will decrease in South Africa. In addition to the people of South Africa benefitting, the economy will grow as more honey will be produced and

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