Experts intend to track temperature changes based on the behavior of bees. It is a long-established fact that these insects are very sensitive to climate change. For the experiment, 100 bee colonies were delivered to the village of Verh-UBA (located 80 kilometers from Ust-Kamenogorsk). They were donated to local beekeepers.
The only requirement is that all data concerning the behavior of insects must be entered in a special diary. Scientists are interested in how early the swarm flew out to collect honey, when the bees began to prepare for the winter? All this will help to track changes related to plant vegetation.
According to the latest data, many representatives of the local flora begin flowering much earlier than usual. Research shows that the air temperature in Kazakhstan may increase by 1.7°C to 2030, and by 2085 – to 3.2°C. This fact will inevitably affect all spheres of human activity. The example scientists say, is that the yield of corn in the East Kazakhstan region has increased from 30 to 56 quintals per hectare. On the one hand, this is good. But gradually, the sharply continental climate of the region may approach the tropical one. With all the ensuing consequences: typhoons, torrential rains and floods.
The GIZ project should develop recommendations to the Governments of the countries participating in the experiment. What measures should be taken in agriculture so that the harvest will not be lost? What buildings should be built? What new diseases can appear and how to deal with them? In addition to Kazakhstan in Central Asia, similar observations are being made in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Author: Dmitry Krukovich
Photo: Yermek Imangazinov