I agree. This project was also discussed previously here.
I’m also not sure about their preference for top bar hives, which carry a bit of pseudo-scientific woo with them. The vast majority of hives are Langstroth and they are well-proven designs. You can run frames with or without starting foundation although attached foundations tend to make it easier to manage and extract honey. Here’s an exchange between one of the project (founders?) and a beekeeper in one of the project’s discussion board here.
Asked about a deficit of Langstroth designs:
“We absolutely support your efforts, and would love to host your design when its ready. Recently we’ve decided to focus our energy on biodynamic hives like Top Bars, but the more selection we have, the better.”
To which the respondent wrote:
“The style of the hive doesn’t determine if the bees are kept biodynamically or not, rather the management practices of the beekeeper.”
Indeed. Similarly, using wax foundation indicates nothing about biodynamic practice. Given that little has changed in hive design pre- and post-CCD, I wonder how the project will make a serious contribution to investigating causes. They really should team up with actual field scientists who work in apiology and ask what support the researchers could actually use. Or at least become familiar with the scientific literature and research centers. Otherwise, it is more of a science-fair project.
