@article{fdi:010090730,
  title = {{U}nveiling beekeepers' use and preference of precision apiculture systems},
  author = {{V}ardakas, {P}. and {M}ainardi, {G}. and {M}inaud, {E}tienne and {P}atalano, {S}. and {R}ebaudo, {F}ran{\c{c}}ois and {R}equier, {F}abrice and {S}teffan-{D}ewenter, {I}. and {H}atjina, {F}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}mid growing ecological concerns surrounding honey bee colony mortality, {P}recision {A}piculture {S}ystems ({PAS}) emerge as promising monitoring tools to safeguard bee health as well as to improve the beekeeping practices and economic sustainability of apiary operations. {T}hese systems offer critical insights into colony dynamics, aiding decision-making processes in beekeeping. {D}espite a surge in relevant academic research, knowledge of actual {PAS} usage and preference among beekeepers remains limited. {T}o fill this gap, a standardized survey was conducted among beekeepers in {F}rance, {G}ermany, and {G}reece. {T}his focused geographical scope survey aimed to determine the extent of current and potential {PAS} adoption, the motivations behind usage or avoidance, and ascertain future preferences. {A}mong the 538 respondents, 45% reported utilizing some form of {PAS}, with beekeeping scales being the most commonly used. {T}he study revealed that the use of {PAS} positively correlates with both the number of hives managed and the distance of the apiary from the beekeeper's residence. {O}verall, 90% of respondents expressed a certain degree of satisfaction with their use of {PAS}, although the high costs of these tools were identified as a primary obstacle to broader adoption. {A}bout 48% of the beekeepers preferred systems with external sensors, highlighting a clear demand for non-invasive health-related colony information. {T}he advantages that foster {PAS} usage include decision-making support and improved efficiency in monitoring colony growth and honey productivity. {T}hese findings can assist in making {PAS} more accessible to beekeepers, with the aim to enhance colony performance and decision-making capabilities, thus addressing honey bee colony mortality.},
  keywords = {{A}pis mellifera ; colony monitoring ; honey bee ; information and communication technologies ; survey ; precision beekeeping ; {FRANCE} ; {ALLEMAGNE} ; {GRECE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {A}picultural {R}esearch},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[10 p.]},
  ISSN = {0021-8839},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1080/00218839.2024.2355813},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010090730},
}