Biocultural Diversity Loss: the Decline of Native Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini) and Local Ecological Knowledge in
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Biocultural Diversity Loss: the Decline of Native Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini) and Local Ecological Knowledge in Michoacán, Western México Alejandro Reyes-González 1 & Andrés Camou-Guerrero 2 & Ek del-Val 3 & M. Isabel Ramírez 4 & Luciana Porter-Bolland 5
# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is of utmost importance for biodiversity conservation; however, a number of studies document the loss of LEK regarding native bees. Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are important pollinators that have been managed by humans in all tropical areas of the world. Our work documents the decline of Meliponini and associated LEK in the state of Michoacán, western Mexico, as well as local historical management and perceptions of the diversity and abundance of bees. Through ecological sampling, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, we established the presence of 13 species of Meliponini and recognition of 23 local names. Although stingless bees’ pot-honey is harvested directly through extraction of wild nests, local knowledge about bee diversity, behavior, and use can contribute to their conservation. Because of recent access to manufactured products and the scarcity of wild nests, LEK and pot-honey harvest are being abandoned and forgotten in some areas. Maintaining LEK is important in designing sustainable use strategies to prevent the extinction of wild nests and allow conservation of bees as well as the cultural legacy associated with them, essential in the context of a global decline of pollinators. Keywords Stingless bee (Meliponini) decline . Pot-honey hunters . Erosion of local ecological knowledge . Qualitative data collection . Michoacán . Mexico
Introduction Local ecological knowledge (LEK) refers to the accumulation of information, beliefs, and practices that a group of people or * Luciana Porter-Bolland [email protected] 1
Posgrado en Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
2
Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
3
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. San José de la Huerta, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
4
Centro de Investigaciones en Geografía Ambiental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
5
Red de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya C.P. 91073, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
communities have about the components, interactions, and processes regarding their environment during a specific period (Berkes 1999). This knowledge is transmitted through generations, both orally and through observation. It is fundamental for decision-making regarding the natural environment and the possible implementati
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