Impact of climate change on Melipona beecheii and socioeconomic assessment of meliponiculture in the mexican southeast

Abstract

The present study aimed to show the impact of climate change on Melipona bees in the Yucatan Peninsula and the socioeconomic situation of Melipona honey producers. Meliponiculture is a very important activity for some Mayans in the Yucatan Peninsula. However, the production of Melipona honey and its territorial distribution has decreased in recent decades, compared to the last century. Fieldwork was carried out in the east of the state of Yucatan to assess honey production activities and the socioeconomic situation of the population that depends on them. Data from Worldclim was used to generate distribution models for Melipona bees as well as scenarios of the impact of climate change on these species in the next seven decades. The scenarios that assume the continued presence of Melipona bees in the next seven decades show disappointing results in the face of climate change. It is necessary to implement effective public policies that help promote the well-being of both Melipona bees and the population that depends on them.