The role of backyard beekeeping in conserving agro-biodiversity in the crop farming system of Waghimra and the South Wollo Zone of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Rural communities in Ethiopia play a significant role in managing agrobiodiversity through their rich indigenous knowledge in conserving diverse plant species. Beekeeping serves as a key practice for supporting local biodiversity. Despite its importance, research on the systematic contribution of beekeeping to agrobiodiversity in Ethiopia remains limited. This study seeks to assess the specific role of beekeeping in promoting biodiversity conservation within crop farming systems in the Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia. Semi-structured interviews were used to document community backyard management practices and local knowledge. The quadrate method was used to assess vegetation structure and species diversity. Results showed that beekeepers selectively preserve both exotic (e.g., Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Prosopis molle) and indigenous (e.g., Cordia africana, Acacia spp., Ziziphus spina-christi) plant species in their home gardens based on their significance for beekeeping. Beekeeper home gardens showed marginally higher floral species richness (13.80 ± 5.00 vs. 12.55 ± 4.99), Shannon–Wiener diversity (2.08 ± 0.34 vs. 1.92 ± 0.53), and evenness (0.83 ± 0.08 vs. 0.78 ± 0.14) than non-beekeeper gardens (values are means ± SD). In small garden systems, consistent improvements across multiple diversity metrics indicate enhanced floral resource availability. This pattern suggests a balanced community structure and ecological relevance that extends beyond statistical significance. Higher Rényi profiles observed in beekeeper gardens suggest that beekeeping practices, such as the deliberate planting and maintenance of nectar- and pollen-producing plants, are associated with greater plant diversity and may have implications for ecosystem resilience. Integrating beekeeping into community forestry and watershed management could further enhance biodiversity conservation and rural economic development.