STINGLESS BEES AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Peter KwapongDepartment of Entomology and Wildlife
University of Cape CoastGhana
OverviewIntroductionStingless bees and their importanceHow stingless bees are impacted by human
activitiesThe result: Climate changeEffects on beesConservation of stingless bees and how they
can mitigate climate change
IntroductionGod created the earthGod entrusted the earth to man to manage on
His termsMan decides he will manage it on his own termMan mismanages the earth.Consequence of Climate change its impact on
man and biodiversityGod wants us to return to him and reason
togetherStingless bees role in pollination and hive
productsStingless bees role in biodiversity conservation
and sustenance of livelihood.
Stingless beesSocial bees and live together in colonies with a
queen, workers (females), and drones (males).They store medicinal honey and other hive
products such as propolis.They pollinate flowering plants in both
agricultural and natural landscapes.Pollination service results in quality and quantity
fruit and seedsContribute to natural habitats and biodiversity
conservationProvide primary health care to lots of rural
communities through the use of their hive products in treating various ailments.
Man’s activity and stingless beesStingless bees inhabit cavities of trees and logsThrough logging and lumbering nests are
destroyedThrough bush burning and slash and burn
methods of farming populations and colonies of stingless bees are threatened
Since stingless bees are the main pollinators of various flowering plants, any poisoning with insecticide sprays will affect their populations.
Unsustainable harvesting of stingless bees honey by the use of fire and also exposing the bees pose threat to their survival.
Climate change and stingless beesForest trees no longer available for nestingForage is scarcePopulation decline due to droughtBees species will drive to extinctionThe Eclipse of the Sun 29 March 2006
Bees at hive entrancesBees at forage sites
Stingless bee ProjectWork with rural communities to establish ISBCCollect and rescue stingless bees native to
GhanaMultiply and carry out research for use in
pollinations services and hive product development
Create awareness to Africa and the world for their utilization against climate change
Stingless bees can help sustain livelihood and conserve biodiversity.