Honeybees as an Environmental Sensor

A bioindicator is an organism or biological response that reveals the presence of the pollutants by the accuracy of typical symptoms or measurable responses, and is therefore more qualitative. These organisms (or communities of organisms) deliver information on alterations in the environment or the quantity of environmental pollutants by changing in one of the following ways: physiologically, chemically or behaviorally. Hence the emphasis was given to gather information regarding these bioindicators. This book is the collection of that gathered information and it is divided in to various sub sections viz., Introduction, Bioindicator, Characteristics which make bee as a reliable ecological detector and Contaminants of bee products from environmental sources, Monitoring of Radioactive substances and pesticides in environment, Heavy metals in Environment, Honeybees & Landmines and Honey as a bioindicator for environmental pollution. The book is intended to be useful for graduate students of science, agricultural faculty, post graduate students of Entomology, etc.

Pashte Vrushali, is a Ph. D. Scholar at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. She obtained M. Sc. (Agriculture) with specialization in Apiculture from UAS, Bangalore, in 2011 and B. Sc. (Agriculture) from Dr. Balasaheb Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, in 2009. She has also qualified NAARM-SRF in 2011.