Vegetational History, Floral Preference of Honeybees (Apis mellifera var. adansonii) and Biodiversity Conservation Inferred from Recent Honey Pollen Analysis in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pollen analytical examination was conducted using honey samples from four selected localities within Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining the species of plants that were utilized by honeybees in the course of honey production; vegetational history and biogeographical origin of honey and the taxa most preferred by honeybees. The samples were treated using standard palynological techniques and results showed that a total of 27,852 pollen grains count of 4665, 9513, 5669 and 8005 was recorded for Ngwa, Timpil, Peta and Bantali respectively. Study revealed that eighty- eight (88) pollen types belonging to forty-one (41) plant families were encountered. One (1) was identified to family level, seventy-four (74) to generic level, twelve (12) to species level and one (1) unidentified. The predominant pollen types in the four samples were those of Syzygium guineense, Psidium gaujava, Mangifera indica, Parkia biglobosa, Combretum spp., Vitellaria paradoxa, Elaeis guineensis, and Trichillia prieureana. The identified species originated from different taxa of trees, grass and shrubs. Findings revealed that the period of major honey production were between dry season to early raining season (October-April). The pollen assemblage reflects the vegetation of Hawul in Borno State to be Guinean Savanna type despite high level of human impact (anthropogenic activities) on the environment. Pollen weight was between 0.40 to 0.45 grams indicating that the honey samples were unadulterated. Adequate conservation of these indicator species is recommended for safety health and environmental sustainability using appropriate biotechnological interventions.