(23) Fieldwork with Sergio and BEE-GUARDS

Welcome to the BEE-GUARDS podcast — a Horizon Europe project working to strengthen resilient beekeeping, protect pollinator biodiversity, and support sustainable beekeeping practices across Europe. All relevant links here: https://beeguards.eu/citizen-science/  In today’s episode, we are talking with Sergio from CREA in Bologna, who is actively involved in the field work connected to Work Packages 1, 2, and 8 of the BEE-GUARDS project. WP1 focuses on innovative beekeeping management across a large pan-European apiary network. Researchers and beekeepers are testing low-input and threshold-based management strategies, comparing them with more conventional approaches, while studying colony survival, resilience, climate effects, and Varroa management under real field conditions. WP2 is dedicated to breeding strategies for resilient bees. The work investigates how natural selection, Varroa resistance, climate adaptation, and advanced breeding methods can help develop stronger and more resilient honey bee populations for the future. WP8 focuses on field site activities and practical implementation, helping connect research, environmental assessment, and real-world beekeeping conditions across the different European study locations. Together, these activities combine science, field observations, breeding, and collaboration with beekeepers to better understand how we can safeguard honey bees and pollination services in a changing environment. Your host today is Flemming Vejsnæs from the Danish Beekeepers Association. Let’s get started.