Impact of beekeeping on forest conservation, preservation of

forest ecosystems andpoverty reduction

Charlotte LietaerCharlotanza@gmail.com

22 October 2009WFC, Buenos Aires

Picture James Burke

1. Role of bees in nature

2. Role of bees for humans

3. Beekeeping, forest programmes and policies

4. Beekeeping and poverty alleviation

5. Conclusion: beekeeping is a

tool for raising awareness

about the importance of forest

conservation and preservation

of forest ecosystems and for

reducing poverty

1. Role of bees in nature

Pollination

Seeds

Conservation of ecosystems

Cross-pollination

Ensure biodiversity

1. Role of bees in nature (con’d)

Pollination of crop

Higher yields

More earnings

Better product quality

Higher prices for crop

2. Role of bees for humansCharacteristics of beekeeping

• Part of many traditional cultures• Beekeeping skills are easily transmitted from generation

to generation• Not a capital intensive activity, easy to start up with

locally available material• Not a labour intensive activity, can be combined with

farming activities• Can be practiced by young and old, male and female• Does not deplete natural resources• Additional source of income

2. Role of bees for humans (cont’d)

Beekeeping

Increased yield

Source of income

Source of high nutrient food (energy,

minerals, vitamins)

Source of natural

medicines

Creation of activities related to

beekeeping

Source of raw material in industries

Source of foreign

exchange

Economic value, and health and nutritional value

“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.

No more bees, no more pollination … no more men!”

Albert Einstein

Picture James Burke

3. Potential role of beekeeping in forest programmes and policies

Bees live in trees

Trees are a source of nectar

More trees, more honey, more bees

More bees, better

pollination, better harvest, better product

quality

Better pollination,

richer biodiversity

3. Potential role of beekeeping in forest programmes and policies (con’d)

• Tool to re-establish the relationship between communities and nature.

• Tool to raise awarenessabout the importance and value of forests.

3. Potential role of beekeeping in forest programmes and policies (con’d)

• Beekeepers as advocates of sustainable forest management, forest conservation, agro-forestry and integrated pest management

• Beekeepers as Government partners in fighting illegal logging and forest wildfires

3. Potential role of beekeeping in forestry programmes and policies (con’d)

• Beekeeping as an alternative source of income during forest rehabilitation programmes

• Bee-reserves with exclusive access to beekeepers

• Reforestation with native melliferous plants

4. Potential role of beekeeping in poverty alleviation

During periods of food insecurity•Source of cash•Source of nutritious food

During illness•Source of cash to pay hospital fees•Cheap and safe natural medicine•Not labour intensive activity•Bees harvest even when not attended

During periods of political unrest and war•Bees continue to harvest, even when not attended•Bees harvest on mined fields•Can be practiced by displaced people

Climate change•As long as there are flowering plants, bees harvest

nectar

Beekeeping as a safety net

5. ConclusionBeekeeping can play an important role in forest

conservation, the preservation of forest ecosystems and in poverty reduction.

But….

•Need for beekeeping programmes supported by the Government

•Need for financial, extensional and technological support

Thank you for your attention

For further information:

Charlotanza@gmail.com

• Economic value

Additional source of income

Honey can be easily stored

Source of cash in periods of food

insecurity

Value added products s.a. candles, creams, polish, etc.