Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute Eastern Kentucky University

521 Lancaster Avenue, Moore B-18 Richmond, KY 40475-3102

(859) 622-6914 • www.eri.eku.edu

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A GIS Approach to Identifying Apiculture Sites A GIS Approach to Identifying Apiculture Sites A GIS Approach to Identifying Apiculture Sites A GIS Approach to Identifying Apiculture Sites on Reclaimed Mine Landson Reclaimed Mine Landson Reclaimed Mine Landson Reclaimed Mine Lands Hanna Watts, Dr. Alice Jones Hanna Watts, Dr. Alice Jones Hanna Watts, Dr. Alice Jones Hanna Watts, Dr. Alice Jones ---- Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research InstituteEastern Kentucky Environmental Research InstituteEastern Kentucky Environmental Research InstituteEastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute

For almost a century, the economy of Eastern Kentucky has

relied heavily on coal extraction and refinement activities.

Much of the mining is, and has been, conducted in

productive hardwood forest areas. There are hundreds of

thousands of acres of previously productive land that are no

longer being used. Recently, researchers have discussed the

possibility of introducing beehives into mine reclamation

areas in conjunction with reforestation efforts.

Bees as Environmental MonitorsBees as Environmental MonitorsBees as Environmental MonitorsBees as Environmental Monitors Bees are very effective for large scale geographic

monitoring as honeybees have been known to forage for

food as far as three to five miles away from their hive. They

are physically able to cover a geographic area larger than

20,000 acres. The pollen they bring back is an especially

good indicator of chemical contamination in an area, and the

breadth of their foraging means that a researcher using bees

will be able to thoroughly cover more acreage than they

might otherwise have the resources to survey. This

information could be vitally important to assessing the

overall health of the reclaimed mine site and may show

where improvements can be made.

Bees for Economic DevelopmentBees for Economic DevelopmentBees for Economic DevelopmentBees for Economic Development Bees and beekeeping can also provide economic benefits.

Many non-profit and non-governmental organizations have

been establishing beekeeping programs to advance

economic development in rural agricultural areas all over the

world. Beekeeping provides communities with a wide range

of economic possibilities. Kentucky, home to flowering trees

such as Sourwood, Black Locust, and Tulip Poplars, is, in

many ways, an ideal location for keeping bees. In

addition to the honey produced, there is market for

beeswax products, such as candles and cosmetics,

and for bee collected pollen, which is sometimes

used as a dietary supplement.

The bees themselves can also be sold. Queen

rearing, inseminating queens for resale to other

beekeepers for the purpose of re-queening colonies,

is an industry that is currently underrepresented in

the continental United States. Queens are integral

to the health of a bee colony. A strong queen will

support and maintain a strong healthy colony. Many

beekeepers prefer to buy a colony, or a “nuc”, from

established beekeepers or commercial supply

companies rather than attempting to collect swarms. Raising

bees and selling nucs is another way a beekeeper can earn a

living from his, or her, bees.

Site SelectionSite SelectionSite SelectionSite Selection The goal of this project is to introduce beekeeping for

sustainable rural development program to Eastern Kentucky.

In order to bring beekeeping to the region, sites need to be

selected where apiaries will be established. A set of site

selection criteria has been developed that is being used to

identify suitable mine reclamation areas in which to

establish apiaries in Eastern Kentucky. Apiaries need be

near sources of fresh water, adequate forage material,

adequate shade, and in locations that are not frequently

visited by strangers. Locating the apiaries in more remote

locations minimizes the chances that the hives will be

damaged or vandalized, which is not uncommon.

Bees and hives

from a regional

cooperative in

Vanadzor,

Armenia. Pho-

tos taken by

Hanna Watts.

The Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute was initiated with funding from the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF-EPSCoR Award #0447479). Additional support was Provided by the University of Kentucky Environmental Research Training Laboratory (ERTL).

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Remote Data CollectionRemote Data CollectionRemote Data CollectionRemote Data Collection A preliminary study area was established that included

counties within the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. The

National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) was used to locate

“Mined Barren” areas and created three-mile buffer around

each which reflects the honeybee’s foraging range. In order

to narrow down our area further, a one-half mile buffer zone

was created on either side of state roads in which apiaries

will not be established. Using the NLCD data along with

aerial photos, the remaining area was visually surveyed to

locate preliminary sites near water and what appears to be

adequate vegetation.

InInInIn----Situ Data CollectionSitu Data CollectionSitu Data CollectionSitu Data Collection Final sites will be selected by direct observation at the

preliminary sites. Certain site characteristics cannot be

readily observed using remote data sources such as adequate

shade, water quality, vegetation types, incompatible human

activities (sites already being used for hunting or four-

wheeling), and other unforeseen limiting factors. In order to

make the most appropriate site selection, fieldwork will have

to be conducted at potential sites. These visits will be

conducted in Spring and early Summer 2008.

Project DeliverablesProject DeliverablesProject DeliverablesProject Deliverables The data collected from the visits, in conjunction with

satellite images, will then be digitized into a Geographic

Information System (GIS) database. This database will be

able to create a detailed map of the area as well as analyze all

the information about each site, comparing elements of the

landscape to create a hierarchy of the most ideal locations in

the area to establish apiaries.

In addition to mapping suitable locations to install apiaries in

the reclamation area, a document will be created that will

explain how and why certain sites were chosen. It will also

contain research from previous studies, information about

the hives introduced at the Big Elk site, as well information

about other beekeeping for rural development programs, and

possibilities for obtaining funding for regional beekeeping

programs.

For More Information Contact:For More Information Contact:For More Information Contact:For More Information Contact: Dr. Alice Jones, Director

Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute

521 Lancaster Avenue, Moore B-18

Richmond, KY 40475

(859) 622-6914

www.eri.eku.edu

ALICE JONES is the director of the institute and an

associate professor of Geography at Eastern Kentucky

University.

HANNA WATTS is a Geography Major in her senior year at

Eastern Kentucky University.

Eastern KY Coalfield

Areas of Vegetation

Developed Areas

Mined Areas

Legend

Figure 1: Potential sites meeting preliminary criteria.

Figure 2: Inset of Figure 1 showing location of po-

tential sites selected based on proximity to water,

vegetation, and mined areas.

Figure 3: Inset of Figure 2 showing aerial photo of

potential site.