Modeling Environmental and Wildlife Drivers That Affect Beehive Fences in Agricultural Landscapes Impacted by Elephants

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is a keystone species in Kenya's Tsavo East National Park. Through foraging and trampling, they also function as ecosystem engineers, causing specific disturbances in agricultural... [ view full abstract ]

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is a keystone species in Kenya's Tsavo East National Park. Through foraging and trampling, they also function as ecosystem engineers, causing specific disturbances in agricultural systems adjacent to the park. One method to reduce human-elephant conflict in neighboring farmland involves using Beehive Fences. The effectiveness of the fences to repel elephants and reduce disturbances varies, as hives are prone to fluctuation in bee occupation due to environmental conditions and depredation. This research analyzes time series data to model the relationships between rainfall events, honey badger (Mellivora capensis) raids, and honey bee (Apis mellifera) occupation on the elephant-deterring Beehive Fences. 

Multivariate autoregressive modeling of a two-year data set of 150 beehives from twelve farms were used to identify and create 157 models correlating environmental conditions. The models provide quantitative results on how rainfall influences bee occupation and honey badger attacks. Tools such as this can be useful to conservation managers to assess how environmental conditions correspond to beehive effectiveness and the likelihood of honey badger depredation. This may enable them to focus limited resources at critical times to protect the livelihood of the farmers.