Project aims to use stingless bees for environmental monitoring, not Paraná

Project aims to use stingless bees for environmental monitoring, not Paraná

Analyze the health of native bees as an indicator of environmental quality. It is the objective of a project to be carried out jointly by Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná (Sanepar) and Embrapa Forests. The initiative will be developed around the Piraquara Dam 1, with the participation of small rural producers in the region.

The agreement was signed in August and runs until August 2023. According to a statement from Embrapa, the intention is to assess the quality of the source of the Environmental Protection Area (WHAT) from Piraquara. The project also aims to encourage the adoption of meliponiculture with alternative income and ecologically adequate activity in a protected area.

In this month, a survey of stingless bees present in the region will be carried out. According to Embrapa, boxes will be used for the installation of new local colonies, with the objective of forming a living collection that represents the local diversity of these insects. these boxes, later, will be installed on rural properties. Until then, producers will be trained for the activity.

“The project will carry out periodic statistical analyzes of materials produced by native bees, like pollen and wax, and resins from plants and trees and soil particles that make up the structure of hives. These analyzes intend to investigate the sanitary quality of these colonies. Bees and their products are considered excellent biological indicators of environmental conditions”, says the statement.

Also according to Embrapa, the project also provides for the composition of the so-called bee pasture, places where bees look for their food. This will be done with forest species, with the intention of promoting the independence of the swarms, facilitate the management by the producer and improve the health conditions of the colonies.

“The expectation is that the project will contribute to improving the quality of life and maintaining the environmental protection already developed by the producers. Besides, the project can be replicated for the use of native bees in other springs used by Sanepar for supply and in environmental preservation areas in the State of Paraná”, says Embrapa.

Matter extracted from: https://revistagloborural.globo.com/Um-So-Planeta/noticia/2021/09/projeto-visa-usar-abelhas-sem-ferrao-para-monitoramento-ambiental-no-parana.html