Statistical analysis
The Welch test was performed to compare two means of mortality values;
under the 10% mortality threshold (considered as acceptable) and above
or equal the 10% for the same variable. Results indicate that
beekeepers with mortality rates lower than 10% had a higher average
number of hives (average 12.67 and std 17.25; p -value <
0.0001) and a significantly higher ability to renewing their colonies
(average 6.31 and std 8.17; p -value < 0.0001). Their
score in perceiving varroosis occurrence was significantly higher
(average 71.38 and std 22.85; p -value = 0.002) and they were more
aware of management practices impact (average 90.15 and std 16.95;p -value = 0.008) and severity (average 88.31 and std 18.34;p -value = 0,014) on their colonies. Nevertheless, they scored
significantly lower in the perception of climate change severity
(average 55.45 and std 33.12; p -value = 0.009) and the perception
of varroosis severity (average 63.8 and std 21.56; p -value =
0.02). The benefit of management practices was also better perceived by
beekeepers with mortality rates < 10% (average 68.96 and std
15.11; p -value = 0.015). Beekeepers with < 10%
mortality rates scored higher at all questions related to the
actions/intentions. Significant results of the two-sample t -test
with unequal variances are depicted in Table 3 .
Table 3. Welch test’s
significant variables (p-value <0.05) for mortality rates
above and under 10%