SAiBees
Protecting bees and optimizing hive management with AI and satellite data
The SAiBees project aims to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of an innovative digital tool to support beekeepers in sustainable hive management. The project integrates Earth Observation and Artificial Intelligence technologies to provide geospatial data useful for improving bee health and honey production, addressing threats from climate change, pollution, and parasites such as Varroa destructor.
European Space Agency (ESA)
SAiBees is developed by a consortium of partners with complementary expertise: ITHACA (EO and agri-sector experience), LINKS Foundation (AI and satellite), APISFERO (Beekeeping and Varroa destructor monitoring), and Pro.M.Oda. (commercialization and stakeholder engagement).
Specifically, SAiBees focuses on three main areas:
Land cover mapping:
territorial analysis at 10 m resolution to support the planning of beekeeping activities.
Hive environment monitoring:
identification of infrastructure and spatial distribution of apiaries using very-high-resolution imagery.
Plant phenology:
detection of flowering and senescence phases to optimize pollen collection and nomadic hive management.
The service combines this information with data on the Varroa destructor parasite, helping to prevent infestations and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
Public and private beekeeping sector
SAiBees is primarily aimed at beekeepers, to support them in the sustainable management of hives and the monitoring of colony health; it can also be used by public entities interested in biodiversity protection and parasite control such as Varroa. The web platform will offer open data and proprietary modules accessible via API, ensuring a centralized servicethat is easily integrated into beekeeping activities and land management strategies.
Digital and satellite tool for beekeeping decisions
SAiBees offers an operational prototype (MVP) of an AI-based service to map apiaries, classify territory, and monitor plant phenology. The goal is to provide practical information to beekeepers to improve honey production and colony health, integrating satellite data with traditional techniques and information on the Varroa parasite.
Expected Results: Sustainable Beekeeping and Varroa Management
SAiBees provides geospatial information to beekeepers and stakeholders to support sustainable hive management. By integrating satellite data and AI models, the platform helps optimize apiary positioning, vegetation and water availability, and Varroa treatments, increasing honey production while reducing losses and pesticide treatments. The project also paves the way for precision beekeeping and new opportunities in biodiversity markets and CO₂ credits.
AI, satellite, and integrated data for beekeeping
The main innovation of SAiBees consists of integrating satellite data, AI models, and information on the Varroa parasite into a single tool, centralizing otherwise fragmented information and providing advanced decision support to beekeepers.