Open AccessFood and environmental degradation as causative agents of honey bee colonies decline: Mathematical model approach
Author(s) -
Kabiru Lere Najib,
Adamu Shitu Hassan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the nigerian society of physical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2714-4704
DOI - 10.46481/jnsps.2021.283
Subject(s) - honey bee , degradation (telecommunications) , population , environmental degradation , population growth , sensitivity (control systems) , population model , ecology , biology , environmental science , mathematics , computer science , demography , engineering , telecommunications , sociology , electronic engineering
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.