Colombia is home to more than 500 species of bees, but many of them are threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.
To protect these vital pollinators, some local communities are turning to an unlikely source of help: illegally felled timber.
From Waste to Hives
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In the Colombian Amazon, illegal logging is a major problem that contributes to deforestation and biodiversity loss.
However, some of the wood that is cut down is not suitable for commercial use and is left to rot or burn in the forest.
A group of beekeepers from the indigenous Tikuna community saw an opportunity to repurpose this waste wood and use it to create bee hives.
They partnered with a local environmental organization, Fundación Natura, and received training and support to start their apiaries.
The beekeepers use a traditional technique called meliponiculture, which involves raising stingless bees that are native to the region.
These bees produce less honey than the European honeybees, but their honey has medicinal and nutritional properties and is highly valued by the local people.
The beekeepers carve out cavities in the logs and place them in the forest, where the bees can find them and colonize them.
The beekeepers then monitor the hives and harvest the honey periodically, using sustainable methods that do not harm the bees or the environment.
By raising native bees, they are preserving the genetic diversity and ecological balance of the region. By producing honey, they are generating income and improving their food security and health.
The project also helps raise awareness and appreciation of the importance of bees and their role in pollinating crops and wild plants.
The beekeepers share their knowledge and experience with other communities and promote the conservation of the forest and its resources.
The project is an example of how local communities can find creative and innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges, using the resources that are available to them.
It shows how Colombia's illegal logging can be transformed into a source of hope and opportunity for the bees and the people.
According to a report by IUCN NL, illegal logging is responsible for 10% of the deforestation in Colombia, and 47% of the wood sold in the country is of illegal origin.
The illegal extraction and trafficking of timber is driven by the global demand for wood products, as well as the lack of state presence and control in remote forest areas.
Illegal logging not only destroys the forest, but also enables other high-impact extractive activities, such as cattle ranching, industrial agriculture, and illicit crops.
These activities cause drastic changes in land use and threaten the livelihoods and rights of the local communities.
However, illegal logging also creates opportunities for alternative and sustainable uses of forest resources.
The waste wood that is left behind by the loggers can be used for various purposes, such as beekeeping, furniture making, or biofuel production.
These activities can generate income and employment for the local people, while also reducing the pressure on the forest and enhancing its conservation.
The Role of Bees in the Forest Ecosystem
Bees are essential for the functioning of the forest ecosystem, as they pollinate about 80% of the flowering plants.
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower to the female part, allowing the plant to produce seeds and fruits.
Pollination is crucial for the reproduction and genetic diversity of plants, as well as for the food security and nutrition of humans and animals.
Bees also provide other ecosystem services, such as soil formation, nutrient cycling, water regulation, and climate regulation.
By pollinating the plants, bees help maintain the structure and composition of the forest, which in turn affects the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and the temperature.
Bees are also indicators of the health and quality of the environment, as they are sensitive to changes in the habitat, the climate, and the presence of pollutants.
By monitoring the population and behavior of bees, researchers can assess the impact of human activities on the forest and its biodiversity.
