Climatic Resilience in Rodopi Beekeeping: Forest-Based Solutions for Pollinator Survival

Beekeeping in the Rodopi Mountains supports bee colony survival and landscape biodiversity. Climate change has shortened flowering periods, reduced nectar and pollen availability, and increased costs due to supplementary feeding and hive transport. Invasive Varroa mites and pesticide exposure further threaten colonies. Restoring forest beekeeping enhances resilience for bees and forests, improving pollination, soil fertility, and wildlife support. It reduces reliance on artificial feeding, lowers treatment costs, and protects against toxins. Forests provide critical habitat and seasonal synchronization, while bees sustain 90% of wild plants and 75% of global food crops. This mutualistic system offers sustainable livelihoods and ecological benefits in mountain ecosystems.