IoT and AI Systems for Enhancing Bee Colony Strength in Precision Beekeeping: A Survey and Future Research Directions

Bees play a crucial role in human food production and ecosystem maintenance. However, they face a global crisis characterized by significant population decline, including colony collapse disorder, which threatens their survival. Therefore, the development of precision beekeeping Internet of Things (IoT) systems is pivotal for enhancing bee colony strength. This study analyzes and categorizes the research focusing on the colony strength into two main areas based on colony activity and threat detection. Research on colony activity aids beekeepers to effectively manage their hives by analyzing behaviors, such as internal status, swarming, and traffic. In threat detection, research focuses on identifying critical predators, such as hornets and varroa destructor, that significantly affect colony survival. This study conducts a comprehensive literature review, thoroughly presenting findings on the evolution and diversification of methodologies aimed at enhancing colony strength. By delving into various innovative approaches and assessing their effectiveness, this review highlights key developments that have significantly contributed to improving the resilience of bee populations against emerging threats. Furthermore, this study identifies the limitations of current research and proposes future research directions focused on enhancing the accuracy of bee behavior analysis and threat detection to improve colony strength and productivity.