MELISSOPALYNOLOGY AND CLIMATIC VARIATION: CASE OF HONEY ATTRIBUTED TO EUPHORBIA RESINIFERA, REGION OF AZILAL (MOROCCO)

This work is an example of the use of honey in the study of the impact of global warming on nectar production and the relationship between plants and pollinators. It is the result of the melissopalynological analysis of 42 honey samples attributed to Euphorbia resinifera Berg, from the region of Azilal (Morocco). Quantitative analysis showed that these honeys are mostly poor in botanical elements. Although beehives were established during the flowering period of Euphorbia resinifera, in areas dominated by it, only 16.7% of honeys harvested showed the monofloral character associated with the species. The others are multifloral or honeydew produced mainly by the holm oak (Quercus ilex). The qualitative analysis of the honeys showed the presence of 55 botanical taxa belonging to 24 families. Pollen from herbaceous species is better represented than pollen from shrubs and trees. Entomophiles are dominant. The evolution of the pollen percentages of E. resinifera in the pollen spectrum has shown that the precocity of its flowering related to the increase of the temperature and the diminution of the precipitations has negatively influenced its nectar production, its attraction for bees, and its contribution to the elaboration of honey.