Indigenous South American communities are raising native bees to protect ecosystems, support biodiversity, and preserve cultural practices.
Sofia Moutinho reports for bioGraphic.
In short:
- Marcio Verá Mirim, a Guarani chief, combines traditional and modern beekeeping techniques to raise native bees in southern Brazil.
- Native bees are crucial for pollinating the diverse flora of the Atlantic Forest, which supports both the ecosystem and Indigenous cultural practices.
- Indigenous communities collaborate with non-Indigenous people for reforestation projects, enhancing forest health and biodiversity.
Key quote:
“There is no reforestation project good enough without beekeeping. Both have to be together so the bees can survive and keep their sacred work of reproducing plants.”
— Márcio Verá Mirim, Guarani chief
Why this matters:
Native bee conservation is vital for the health of forest ecosystems, which support a wide range of plant and animal species. These efforts also help preserve Indigenous cultural practices that are deeply intertwined with their natural environment.
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