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B-synthesis

B-synthesis: Climate, landscape and honey bee diseases - a synthesis

This project aims to investigate how honey bee disease occurrence in Denmark is influenced by climate and landscape factors through integrated analysis of existing research data.
  

B-synthesis brings together data from multiple Danish research studies on honey bee diseases, all collected using standardised methods, into a single comprehensive database. By combining these datasets with detailed information on climate and landscape characteristics from the same apiary locations, the project creates a unique foundation for understanding the broader drivers of bee health.

Through advanced statistical meta-analysis, the project will explore how environmental factors—such as seasonal variation, landscape composition, and the availability of floral resources—relate to the occurrence of bee diseases. The results are expected to generate valuable new knowledge for both researchers and beekeepers, and will be shared through scientific publications as well as accessible outreach activities aimed at strengthening beekeeping practices.

Main objectives include:

  1. Integrate existing data from multiple Danish research projects on honey bee diseases into a unified, standardised database.
  2. Augment datasets with relevant climate and landscape information for all study locations.
  3. Conduct a meta-analysis to identify statistical relationships between bee diseases, environmental factors, and seasonal variation.
  4. Generate new knowledge on how landscape composition and floral resource availability influence bee health in Denmark.
  5. Disseminate findings to both the scientific community and beekeepers through publications and outreach activities.

The project is led by SESS senior researcher Yoko L. Dupont, and is conducted by members of Agricultural Biodiversity at the Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, with significant involvement from the AU SESS members.

Contact

Yoko Luise Dupont

Senior Researcher Department of Agroecology - Agricultural biodiversity, Aarhus

Project duration 

2026-2027

Funding

The Danish Agency for Green Land Use and Aquatic Environment (SGAV)