Diversity and Seasonal Availability of Bee Forage Flora in Temperate Agro-Ecosystems of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract

The continuous availability of diverse floral resources is essential for sustaining honey bee colonies and supporting pollination services in temperate agro-ecosystems. The present study documented the diversity, composition and seasonal availability of bee forage flora in the Kashmir Himalaya, India, using field surveys conducted from 2023 to 2025 across agricultural fields, horticultural orchards, forest fringes, wastelands, roadsides and urban landscapes. Plant species were recorded on the basis of direct honey bee visitation, flowering duration, relative abundance and the availability of nectar and/or pollen. More than 120 plant species belonging to diverse botanical families were recorded as bee forage resources. Major forage species included Helianthus annuus, Trifolium repens, Brassica campestris, Malus domestica, Prunus armeniaca, Robinia pseudoacacia and Lavandula angustifolia. The recorded flora comprised trees, shrubs, herbs, crops and weeds, and most species functioned as sources of both nectar and pollen. Seasonal assessment showed that floral abundance was highest during spring and summer, when orchard crops, field crops, herbs and cultivated plants provided substantial forage. Floral resources declined during autumn and were scarce during winter, when colonies depended largely on stored reserves. Wild flora and weeds, including Taraxacum officinale, Cirsium arvense and Chenopodium album, contributed to forage continuity during transitional or resource-limited periods. The seasonal and functional classifications further clarify the relative contribution of cultivated and uncultivated habitats to forage availability. These observations indicate that both cultivated and naturally occurring plant resources are important components of the regional forage base. The findings provide baseline information for preparing regional floral calendars and for supporting sustainable apiculture, pollination management and bee-friendly planting strategies in temperate Himalayan agro-ecosystems.