Evaluation of Honey Producing Potential of Robinia pseudacacia in Reforested Old Lignite Mines in West Macedonia

Opencast mining is important for local and global economy, but this operation mostly and inevitably leads to substantial environmental damage. Potential future use of the post-mining lands basically depends on the nature of the land, soil conditions, and communal structure of nearby surrounding to be rehabilitated by technical, biological, agricultural means or forestry applications. Vegetation cover has significant functions on post-mining landscapes so, in order to reduce the probability of negative impacts, selection of suitable plant material, which may be preferably native but also introduced plant species, is critical. In West Macedonia Lignite Centre, about 1,500 ha of these land has already reforested by the Public Power Corporation S.A., with Robinia pseudacacia L., one of the most criticized non-native tree species in Europe, because its rootstocks spread into neighbouring areas, repressing native species. The tree is an excellent species for revegetating poor or damaged soils and its fast-growing nature, makes it popular for former lignite mine reclamation, reforestation and erosion control. Robinia forests represent a valuable nectar and pollen source in late spring for many insects, especially Hymenoptera, such as Apis mellifera. That has increased dramatically the regional honey producing potential. In this study, the annual potential honey production of 1,500 ha black locust forests established in reforested old mines land, was estimated from 50,000 to 70,000 kg honey, depending on the year, which is sufficient for up to1,000 bee hives to survive for one year. For the efficient utilization of this valuable honey producing source by the beekeepers, a plan should be developed, to facilitate accessibility to the region and proper beehives dispersion.