Caracterização da meliponicultura em municípios pertencentes a área de produção ambiental da baixada maranhense

Abstract

In Brazil, it is estimated that there are around 300 species of native stingless bees, in different Biomes. Due to the ease of management, meliponiculture, the practice of breeding these species of stingless bees, has stood out as an important economic and sustainable activity among residents of the municipalities: Bacurituba, Cajapió, Palmeirândia, São Bento and São Vicente da Baixada Maranhense. The objective of the research was to evaluate and characterize the profile of meliponiculturists in the municipalities of Baixada Maranhense belonging to the Environmental Protection Area (APA), regarding the level of social interaction with ecosystem services within the practice of meliponiculture. The information was obtained through the application of an online form, aimed at beekeepers, with data collection involving the process of breeding stingless bees. 20 breeders from five municipalities were interviewed. It was found that 85% of meliponiculture farmers do not know the meliponiculture legislation; 65% report that income from meliponiculture comprises less than 50% of their total income, and 70% practice the activity on private property in urban areas, with the activity as a family influence and income generation. Furthermore, the species of bee raised by beekeepers is the Tiúba (Melipona fasciculata). There is a need for policies to encourage the development of meliponic farming, and environmental management actions to promote environmental awareness and understanding of biodiversity and encourage the conservation of native species.