Honey Bee Nectar Flow Interpolation

Interpolation is the process of using point-field data to predict values in unsampled locations and generate continuous maps. Interpolation is based on the first rule of geography defined by Waldo Tobler as “Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.” Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) is a local deterministic technique where a surface is created based on a model, algorithm and user defined parameters. It is exact, meaning it must honour the measured point values, and uses a weighted moving average with a specified number of neighbouring points. IDW implements a distance-weight function so that at a greater distance, the cell has less influence on the output. Like elevation, rainfall or temperature, HBNF metrics are spatially dependant and have the potential to be mapped as a spectrum across the landscape. Interpolation maps offer a way to make data more accessible.

Below are animations of IDW maps that show how Spring HBNFs occurred for Slovenia and Switzerland 2011. Five scale-hives were used in each country with five HBNF metrics (NF Start, 25% day, 50% day, 75% day and NF End) and the time step is a week. In actuality, the nectar flows are likely to be much more nuanced due to elevation and microclimates, but this rough animation gives a basic visualization of how flows occur over the spring.



Switzerland
Slovenia