Organic Beekeeping in Mexico

Mexico is often described as a cornucopia, a land with high diversity in ecosystems, crops, fauna and flora. These are superb preconditions for organic honey production. Already the pre-hispanic Maya cultures produced honey from the native stingless bee (Meliponini) before the Spanish introduced European honey bee (Apis mellifera L). The main beekeeping product in Mexico is honey. Mexico ranks sixth in the world in honey production (57,000 t) and third as an exporter (25,000 t). Two conditions allow Mexico to possess an enormous potential for organic honey production. First, the beekeeping with Africanized honeybees: despite the problems derived from their defensiveness, these bees have great qualities in terms of natural defences against main diseases, including Varroa, so that beekeeping can be realized almost without the use of medicines, contrary to beekeeping with European bees. Second, the southern states of Mexico have a low industrialization level with small scale agriculture characterized by a rather low use of pesticides. Thus, a big part of the territory is suitable for organic honey production as it fulfils the low exposure levels of contaminants. Mexico produces approximately 1,150 tons of organic certified honey that is about 5% of the Mexican honey export. 20 operators are certified organic. Most organic producers are cooperatives with small scale beekeepers. In 2010, more than 448 organic beekeepers (and 291 beekeepers in transition) are managing more than 46,318 organic hives (and 8,629 hives in transition). Organic honey is mainly produced in the states of Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Morelos and Jalisco. Some of the organic beekeeping cooperatives also hold Fair Trade certificates. The first cooperatives were certified in the 1990’s in Oaxaca y Guerrero state. Naturland/IMO organized the first organic beekeeping workshop in 2001. Since 2003, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) has offered annual courses with diplomas in organic beekeeping. Naturland/ IMO trained the inspection agency Certimex on auditing organic beekeepers in 2004. The First Forum of Organic Apiculture was held in 2005 in Chetumal, followed by a second Forum in 2008 in Mérida. The premium price placed on organic honey makes the transition to organic production very attractive. For small scale beekeepers in cooperatives, an Internal Control System (ICS) has to be developed and full traceability of the product must be ensured. The documentation of the beekeepers’ activities, as well as the accounting of the honey and wax, can present some difficulties at the beginning, particularly because many of the indigenous beekeepers are illiterate. Wax from organic beekeeping is used for wax exchange within the organic projects to guarantee a closed wax cycle. Organic certifiers like Naturland, IMO and Certimex carry out wax analysis in order to ensure the absence of conventional Varroacides in the wax. If wax is contaminated, it has to be replaced and the cycle of home-grown wax has to be established. Mexico presents the most suitable conditions of biodiversity and nectar sources from extensive natural forests, traditionally not intensively developed, and more than 400,000 ha of certified agriculture land. It has the potential to increase organic honey production considerably, so that many cooperatives of small farmers may benefit by including organic beekeeping in their production

Organic beekeeping in Mexico

Mexico is often described as a cornucopia, a land with high diversity in ecosystems, crops, fauna and flora. These are superb preconditions for organic honey production. Already the pre-hispanic Maya cultures produced honey from the native stingless bee (Meliponini) before the Spanish introduced European honey bee (Apis mellifera L). The main beekeeping product in Mexico is honey. Mexico ranks sixth in the world in honey production (57,000 t) and third as an exporter (25,000 t)

Adaptation de la gestion technique des producteurs de café et de miel face aux variations de prix au Guatemala : concepts et méthodes

International audienceL'incertitude forge le quotidien des agriculteurs des municipalités de Jacaltenango et de San Antonio Huista, à la frontière occidentale du Guatemala. La communication présente le projet de recherche et les résultats intermédiaires d'une thèse de doctorat (2009-2011) portant sur l'adaptation de la gestion technique des producteurs de café et de miel des hautes terres guatémaltèques face aux variations de prix. Les concepts de logique d'action sur le long terme, de gestion technique et de flexibilité sont mobilisés pour l'étude de la trajectoire d'activités et de pratiques agricoles de 48 producteurs membres d'une association de commercialisation de café et miel. La méthodologie se décompose en quatre phases : (1) une phase exploratoire d'enquêtes compréhensives, (2) une phase exhaustive d'enquêtes semi-directives, (3) le traitement des données avec des méthodes statistiques de regroupement, (4) une vérification des corrélations statistiques observées via des monographies des systèmes d'activités. Une première confrontation de ce cadre théorique et méthodologique avec le terrain permet de préciser nos hypothèses autour des relations entre flexibilité et d'une part production biologique et d'autre part catégorie sociale de la main d'œuvre

Workers dominate male production in the neotropical bumblebee Bombus wilmattae (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cooperation and conflict in social insects are closely linked to the genetic structure of the colony. Kin selection theory predicts conflict over the production of males between the workers and the queen and between the workers themselves, depending on intra-colonial relatedness but also on other factors like colony efficiency, sex ratios, cost of worker reproduction and worker dominance behaviour. In most bumblebee (<it>Bombus</it>) species the queen wins this conflict and often dominates male production. However, most studies in bumblebees have been conducted with only a few selected, mostly single mated species from temperate climate regions. Here we study the genetic colony composition of the facultative polyandrous neotropical bumblebee <it>Bombus wilmattae</it>, to assess the outcome of the queen-worker conflict over male production and to detect potential worker policing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 120 males from five colonies were genotyped with up to nine microsatellite markers to infer their parentage. Four of the five colonies were queen right at point of time of male sampling, while one had an uncertain queen status. The workers clearly dominated production of males with an average of 84.9% +/- 14.3% of males being worker sons. In the two doubly mated colonies 62.5% and 96.7% of the male offspring originated from workers and both patrilines participated in male production. Inferring the mother genotypes from the male offspring, between four to eight workers participated in the production of males.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study we show that the workers clearly win the queen-worker conflict over male production in <it>B. wilmattae</it>, which sets them apart from the temperate bumblebee species studied so far. Workers clearly dominated male production in the singly as well the doubly mated colonies, with up to eight workers producing male offspring in a single colony. Moreover no monopolization of reproduction by single workers occurred.</p

Diversidad y composición de aves del Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello, Chiapas, México

Actualmente los ambientes heterogéneos son los que predominan en los paisajes tropicales, por lo que estudiar la diversidad y la composición de especies en las comunidades avifaunísticas ha permitido entender la variación y la estructura de las mismas. Asimismo, esta información permite implementar estrategias de manejo y conservación en estos ambientes. En este estudio se evaluó la diversidad y composición espacial y temporal de la comunidad de aves en el Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello, Chiapas, en diferentes tipos de bosques y condiciones (bosques de pino, pino-encino, pino-encino-liquidambar, bosque mesófilo, vegetación riparia y zonas intervenidas). El muestreo se realizó de febrero a julio de 2017 en 110 puntos de conteo separados cada 300 m. En total se registraron 3,143 aves de 123 especies. La diversidad medida con el orden q= 1 fue de 41.67 y con q= 2 fue de 24.79 especies efectivas. La temporada de lluvias presentó una mayor diversidad de especies de aves que en secas. Los gremios mejor representados fueron los granívoros-frugívoros-insectívoros, los insectívoros y los omnívoros. Las zonas con intervención, así como los bosques de pino y la vegetación riparia presentaron la mayor diversidad de especies. En contraste, el bosque mesófilo de montaña, de pino-encino-liquidambar y de pino-encino presentaron especies raras y vulnerables como Setophaga chrysoparia, Pharomachrus mocinno y Penelopina nigra. Este estudio permite identificar sitios de monitoreo y de manejo forestal para el mejor ordenamiento en el parque nacional.Heterogeneous environments predominate in tropical landscapes, then studying diversity and composition of species in avian communities has allowed understand how it vary and is structured. This information also allows implementing management and conservation strategies in these environments. This study evaluated the diversity and spatial and temporal composition of the bird community in Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas, in different types of forests and conditions (pine forests, pine-oak, pine-oak-liquidambar, mountain cloud forest, riparian vegetation and modified areas). Sampling was carried out from February to July 2017 at 110 counting points every 300 m. In total, 3,143 birds of 123 species were recorded. The diversity measured with the order q= 1 was 41.67 and with q= 2 it was 24.79 effective species. Rainy season showed greater species diversity than dry season. The best represented guilds were granivores-frugivores-insectivores, insectivores and omnivores. The modified areas, as well as pine forest and riparian vegetation areas had the greatest diversity of species. In contrast, mountain cloud forest, pine-oak-liquidambar, and pine-oak forests had rare and vulnerable species such as Golden-cheeked Warbler, Resplendent Quetzal, and Highland Guan. This study allows to identify sites for monitoring and forest management that will allow for better planning in the national park

Diversidad avifaunística y gremios tróficos en tres condiciones diferentes de cobertura vegetal selvática, al sureste de Chiapas, México

Los bosques, selvas y otras asociaciones vegetales han sufrido un proceso de degradación ambiental, atribuido a la deforestación y a la fragmentación con el objetivo de ampliar la frontera agrícola-pecuaria. Estos cambios ambientales no pasan desapercibidos para las comunidades faunísticas presentes, como las aves. Una manera confiable de conocer las posibles afectaciones antropogénicas en los ecosistemas es a través del análisis de los gremios tróficos aviares, ya que los cambios en la estructura de la vegetación condicionan la presencia de diferentes gremios tróficos. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue analizar las variaciones en la riqueza, abundancia y composición de las comunidades de aves y los gremios tróficos en tres diferentes condiciones de cobertura vegetal (selva con regeneración SCR, ecotonos ECO, y un poblado POB), en una región de la Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México. El muestreo se realizó durante cuatro meses del 2020 donde se recorrieron seis transectos de aproximadamente 2 km de longitud cada uno. Se registraron en total 6,190 individuos de 201 especies de aves. El ECO presentó la mayor riqueza de aves con 155 especies, seguido por la SCR (104 especies) y finalmente, el POB (101 especies). Sin embargo, el POB presentó la mayor abundancia de individuos (2,661 individuos) con respecto a las otras dos condiciones ambientales. La mayor semejanza de las comunidades avifaunísticas ocurrió entre el poblado y el ecotono (53 %). El mayor número de gremios tróficos también se registró en el ECO (15). En general, los insectívoros tuvieron una buena representatividad, particularmente en la SCR. Por el contrario, los granívoros estuvieron relacionados con los espacios abiertos y semiabiertos, desprovistos de vegetación arbórea (POB y ECO). Los frugívoros tuvieron mayor número de especies en el ECO, pero fueron más abundantes en el POB. Mientras que, los nectarívoros se observaron con mayor frecuencia en el POB. La deforestación y la fragmentación reducen el espacio físico de los ecosistemas y también alteran la disponibilidad de alimento para las aves. Lo anterior, se verá reflejado en la presencia-ausencia de los diferentes gremios tróficos y en las funciones ecológicas que son capaces de realizar.Recently many forests, tropical rain forest, and other plant associations have suffered a process of environmental degradation, attributed to deforestation andfragmentation, with the aim of expanding the agricultural-livestock frontier. These environmental changes have a measurable impact on the fauna communities present, such as birds. A reliable way of documenting the possible anthropogenic effects on ecosystems, is through the analysis of the avian trophic guilds since changes in the structure of the vegetation impacts the different trophic guilds. The main objective of this study was to analyze the variations in richness, abundance, and composition of the bird communities and trophic guilds in three different vegetation cover conditions (rain forest with regeneration SCR, ecotones ECO, and a village POB), in a region of the Lacandon rain forest region, Chiapas, Mexico. Sampling was carried four months of 2020 where six transects of approximately 2 km in length were walked. A total of 6190 individuals from 201 bird species were recorded. The ECO presented the highest richness of birds with 155 species, followed by the SCR (104 species) and finally, the POB (101 species). However, the POB presented the highest abundance of individuals (2661 individuals) with respect to the other two environmental conditions. The greatest similarity of bird communities occurred between the village and the ecotone (53%). The highest number of trophic guilds was also registered in ECO (15). In general, the insectivores were widely represented, particularly in the SCR. On the contrary, granivores were related to open and semi-open spaces, devoid of arboreal vegetation (POB and ECO). Frugivores had greater number of species in the ECO but were more abundant in the POB. Meanwhile, nectarivores were observed more frequently in the POB. Deforestation and fragmentation reduce the physical space of ecosystems and modify the availability of food for birds. This will be reflected in the presence-absence of the different trophic guilds and in the ecological functions they are able to perform

Nuevos registros y listados de abejas sin aguijón (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) en el corredor biológico Paso del Istmo de Rivas, Nicaragua

Stingless bees are important to ecosystems for their ecological role as pollinators. Little is known about their diversity in Nicaragua. This study presents the first inventory of stingless bees in the Paso del Istmo de Rivas biological corridor, Nicaragua, in the municipalities of Cárdenas, San Juan del Sur and Rivas. Targeted samplings were carried out over thirty-one collecting events at flowering plants in the three municipalities in different agroecosystems. Sampling was done using insect nets at flowering plants visited by bees. A search was made for bibliographic material that shows records of stingless bees and thus updating the species reported in Nicaragua. In total, 109 specimens corresponding to 11 genera and 21 species were collected. The genera Plebeia Schwarz, 1938, Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942, Partamona Schwarz, 1939 and Trigona Jurine, 1807 predominate. In addition, the species Nannotrigona perilampoides (Cresson, 1878), Partamona bilineata (Say, 1837), Plebeia moureana Ayala, 1999, Scaura argyrea (Cockerell, 1912), Trigona nigerrima Cresson, 1878, Trigona muzoensis Schwarz, 1948 as new records for the country, increasing to 35 species of stingless bees recorded in Nicaragua.Las abejas sin aguijón son importantes para los ecosistemas por su papel ecológico como polinizadores. En Nicaragua se sabe poco acerca de su diversidad. En este trabajo, se realizó el primer inventario de abejas sin aguijón en el corredor biológico Paso del Istmo de Rivas, Nicaragua, en los municipios de Cárdenas, San Juan del Sur y Rivas. Se realizaron 31 muestreos dirigidos en plantas en floración en los tres municipios en diferentes agroecosistemas. La colecta se hizo con la técnica de red entomológica principalmente en plantas en floración visitadas por las abejas. Se hizo búsqueda de material bibliográfico que demuestren registros de abejas sin aguijón, actualizando de esta manera las especies reportadas en Nicaragua. En total, se colectaron 109 ejemplares correspondiendo a 11 géneros y 21 especies. Predominan los géneros Plebeia Schwarz, 1938, Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942, Partamona Schwarz, 1939 y Trigona Jurine, 1807. Además, se reportan las especies Nannotrigona perilampoides (Cresson, 1878), Partamona bilineata (Say, 1837), Plebeia moureana Ayala, 1999, Scaura argyrea (Cockerell, 1912), Trigona nigerrima Cresson, 1878, Trigona muzoensis Schwarz, 1948 como nuevos registros para el país, incrementando a 35 especies de abejas sin aguijón registradas en Nicaragua

Cooperatives as a tool for sustainable development : the case of beekeeper cooperatives in Mexico and Guatemala

SAD CT3 nom courant de la revue : RECMA Article dans la partie : L'économie sociale dans le mondeNational audienceThis article looks at the conditions that enable beekeeper cooperatives in Mexico and Guatemala to contribute to sustainable development. The possible connections between agricultural cooperatives and sustainable development are first presented in a review of the bylaws of these organizations and their involvement in various sustainable development movements. A comparative analysis of agricultural organizations in Mexico and Guatemala reveals that their situations and involvement are varied, and these are then examined in greater detail for three fair-trade cooperatives. The findings show the key role of economic objectives to improve product quality in order to give cooperatives greater autonomy. However, these technical and marketing aspects also need to be incorporated into a more global program of bringing heterogeneous members together to manage the various local resources that influence honey production and particularly biodiversity.L'article s'intéresse aux conditions qui permettent aux coopératives d'apiculteurs du Mexique et du Guatemala de contribuer au développement durable. Les liens possibles entre coopératives agricoles et développement durable sont d'abord présentés, en revisitant les statuts de ces organisations et leurs engagements dans différents mouvements du développement durable. L'analyse comparée des organisations apicoles de Mésoamérique révèle une diversité de situations et d'engagements, étudiés plus en détail pour trois coopératives du commerce équitable. Les résultats montrent le rôle clé du projet économique visant à améliorer la qualité du produit pour favoriser l'autonomie des coopératives. Mais cet engagement technique et commercial doit aussi s'insérer dans la construction d'un projet plus global faisant converger les projets d'adhérents hétérogènes pour gérer la diversité des ressources locales influençant la production de miel, et notamment la biodiversité

La coopérative comme outil du développement durable : le cas des coopératives d’apiculteurs au Mexique et au Guatemala

L’article s’intéresse aux conditions qui permettent aux coopératives d’apiculteurs du Mexique et du Guatemala de contribuer au développement durable. Les liens possibles entre coopératives agricoles et développement durable sont d’abord présentés, en revisitant les statuts de ces organisations et leurs engagements dans différents mouvements du développement durable. L’analyse comparée des organisations apicoles de Mésoamérique révèle une diversité de situations et d’engagements, étudiés plus en détail pour trois coopératives du commerce équitable. Les résultats montrent le rôle clé du projet économique visant à améliorer la qualité du produit pour favoriser l’autonomie des coopératives. Mais cet engagement technique et commercial doit aussi s’insérer dans la construction d’un projet plus global faisant converger les projets d’adhérents hétérogènes pour gérer la diversité des ressources locales influençant la production de miel, et notamment la biodiversité.This article looks at the conditions that enable beekeeper cooperatives in Mexico and Guatemala to contribute to sustainable development. The possible connections between agricultural cooperatives and sustainable development are first presented in a review of the bylaws of these organizations and their involvement in various sustainable development movements. A comparative analysis of agricultural organizations in Mexico and Guatemala reveals that their situations and involvement are varied, and these are then examined in greater detail for three fair-trade cooperatives. The findings show the key role of economic objectives to improve product quality in order to give cooperatives greater autonomy. However, these technical and marketing aspects also need to be incorporated into a more global program of bringing heterogeneous members together to manage the various local resources that influence honey production and particularly biodiversity