Little is known about the efficacy of sampling methods for monitoring bee communities in agricultural landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, in general, and in Uganda, in particular. To provide baseline information on the effectiveness of different sampling methods, 26 sites with varying landscape characteristics were sampled in 2006 in agricultural landscapes in Uganda. Bees were sampled using line transect count, coloured pan trap and hand net methods. In total, 80,883 bee individuals were collected. Totals of 59, 314 and 559 bee species were recorded in transect counts, pan traps and hand nets, respectively. Thus hand nets captured the most species overall. There were few species that overlapped across the three sampling methods. Wild bees were significantly more abundant in yellow pan traps than in blue or white ones. In contrast, bee species richness was significantly higher in blue pan traps than in white or yellow pan traps. Overall, pan-trapping was found to be a complementary method to hand-netting for monitoring bee communities in Uganda.

Investigations into the potential impacts of selectively managing Apis mellifera on pollination ecology were carried out in several sites in Tsavo National Park of southern Kenya, a typical arid African environment. Temperature alone contributed significantly to the foraging patterns of both managed honeybees and wild bee species within the acacia–commiphora community. Honeybees, vulnerable to heat stress, foraged earlier in the day than wild bee species. Foraging patterns of the latter ranged from oligolectic to broadly non-specialized. Floral biology and adaptations were also considered in the analysis of divergent foraging trends. Observations suggest that honeybees potentially out-compete highly specialized wild bee species for scarce seasonal floral resources. No evidence was found of direct interaction on abundant seasonal floral resources such as the mass synchronous flowering of Acacia spp. at current managed honeybee densities. Investigation of visitors revealed a high diversity of potential insect pollinators, particularly high in wild bee species (Apoidea) diversity. Suggestions for the improved management of honeybees in arid African environments include shading of hives, providing access to water with protection from predators, and cultivation of indigenous, nectariferous plants close to hive colonies.