Species Composition, Relative Abundance and Diversity of Forager Honey Bees in and around Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rwanda

Abstract

This study examined the influence of habitat type, seasonality, temperature, and humidity on forager bee abundance, species richness, and diversity in and around Gishwati–Mukura National Park (GMNP). Bees were sampled using pan traps across three habitat types, namely primary, restored, and disturbed forests, over a 13-month period covering both dry and rainy seasons. A total of 179 forager bee specimens were recorded, representing seven species from Apidae and Halictidae families. Significant differences in bee abundance were observed among habitat types. In disturbed forests, bee abundance was higher during the rainy season, whereas in restored and primary forests, abundance was greater during the dry season. These results indicate that seasonal variation significantly affects forager bee abundance in GMNP, although seasonal trends were generally consistent across habitat types. Overall, species richness was low. Temperature and humidity exhibited a significant negative effect on bee abundance, suggesting that forager bee populations increased under cooler and drier conditions and declined under warmer and more humid conditions. Although the findings suggest that bees are thriving within GMNP, the study was limited to a single year; therefore, future research should incorporate multi-year sampling to capture longer-term trends. The study contributes to existing knowledge on bee ecology and pollination services and underscores the potential of beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood option for communities surrounding GMNP, which may help reduce encroachment, poaching, and habitat degradation. The findings also provide valuable insights for park management and conservation policymakers.