Landscape criteria used to identify potential locations for apiaries that would ensure sources of pollen and nectar throughout the growing season in the Northern Great Plains.

aOccurrence of deciduous trees and shrubs in the Northern Great Plains generally is limited to windbreaks, fence lines, riparian corridors, and landscaping around houses.bLand enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Of particular interest for honey bees are grasslands rich in leguminous species because they offer long-flowering land cover with good sources of pollen and nectar.cThe first cutting of alfalfa for hay typically is done prior to blooming, but flowers are present following re-growth between subsequent cuttings.dAcres (ac) are the unit of measure for the property system in the United States and are provided here because they relate to multiples of standard crop field sizes.eBees collect water for evaporative cooling in the hive, so our criteria recognize this landscape requirement in addition to sources of pollen and nectar.