Food and environmental degradation as causative agents of  honey bee colonies decline: Mathematical model approach

Kabiru Lere Najib; Adamu Shitu Hassan

doi:10.46481/jnsps.2021.283

Authors

Kabiru Lere Najib
Department of Mathematical Sciences, College of Physical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria; Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University
Adamu Shitu Hassan
[email protected]

Department of Mathematical Sciences, College of Physical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria

Keywords:

Honey Bees, Colony Collapse Disorder, degradation, Environment

Abstract

In this research, a new compartment model of honey bee population is developed to study the effects of gradual change of food availability and environmental degradation on bee population growth and development. The model is proved to be mathematical well posed and a non-trivial equilibrium point is shown to exist and asymptotically stable under certain conditions. The model predicts a critical threshold environmental degradation rate above which the population size of bees decline and subsequently collapse. Low environmental degradation and high food availability leads to stable bee population. Global sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the most sensitive parameters of the model that can lead to colony collapse disorder. Numerical simulations are conducted to illustrate all the results.

Dimensions

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