Tree Species as Forage for Apis dorsata Binghamii and Impact on Tree Health in Mangolo Nature Tourism Area, Indonesia

Apis dorsata Binghamii is an endemic forest bee found on the Sulawesi Island.Forest ecosystems provide perfect conditions for bee survival.The goal of this research is to identify feasible tree species as feed sources and to analyze the physical harm to trees as beehives.Purposive sampling is used in the site determination strategy, which entails putting observation stations on trees that host forest bee colonies.The sample center point (nest tree) is the starting point for drawing transects in the four cardinal directions, each 500 meters apart and measuring 20m × 20m with 20 plots.Vegetation analysis includes species diversity using the Shannon-Wiener method and the Importance Value Index using the Mueler-Dombois and Ellenberg methods.Physical damage to forest bee foraging trees was assessed using the Forest Health Monitoring method.The results indicated a high diversity of tree species (H'= 3.14).The major species are Castanopsis buruana Miq. and Payena acuminate (Blume) Pierre (Kuma).This plant has a wide and tall tree diameter, produces nectar and pollen through blossoms, and bees use it as a nest.However, this study discovered a variety of trees that had been damaged.The most common causes of tree damage are lianas and termites, accounting for 30% of the total.The Eha (Castanopsis buruana Miq.) sustained the most damage.As a result, forest conservation measures are required to restore the health of trees used as beehives and food sources for Apis dorsata Binghamii bees, as well as to increase honey production.