Etnoconhecimento e práticas tradicionais de manejo de abelhas em uma reserva extrativista da Amazônia paraense

Abstract

Bees play a fundamental role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring global food security due to their function as key pollinators in natural ecosystems and agricultural production systems. However, several factors have contributed to the decline of bee populations, including deforestation, urbanization, pesticide use, climate change, and the homogenization of agricultural landscapes. Understanding and valuing traditional knowledge associated with stingless bees can provide important insights for the conservation of these pollinators and for strengthening the cultural identity of communities that depend on them. This study aims to understand the ethno-knowledgement related to stingless bees in five communities within the Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve, in Porto de Moz, Pará. The research was conducted in the municipality of Porto de Moz, located in the western region of the state of Pará. The selection of interviewees followed the “snowball” methodology, a non-probabilistic sampling strategy widely used in hard-to-reach contexts and highly interconnected networks. A total of ten popular names were identified for bee species present in the daily lives of the RESEX Verde para Sempre community members. The species Apis mellifera ligustica, also known by residents as “Italian,” was the most frequently cited, with a total of 17 mentions. The presence of bees in the communities' daily lives is also reflected in the use of the resources they provide. Honey is the main product used by the community members, mentioned by all interviewees (85%). Despite the close relationship between local residents and bees, the main method of obtaining bee products is through purchase (70%). Perceptions regarding the decline in bee populations are aligned with scientific evidence on the negative impacts of deforestation, wildfires, and climate change on pollinators.