Landscape ecology of apiculture in the Maya area of La Montana, Campeche, Mexico

Apiculture is one of the most important economic activities for rural communities in the Yucatan Peninsula. In part, this results from the rich natural melliferous and polliniferous flora found in the area and from the beekeeping tradition of the Maya population. At La Montaña, Campeche, Mexico, beekeeping is currently the number one income-generating activity. Honey production is currently carried out with Africanized bees ( Apis mellifera L.), for marketing to national and international markets. An analysis of some economic aspects showed that profits are benefiting only a small sector of the population that has better management skills and investment capacity. Better technology and technical training, as well as the diversification of the activity could provide more benefits to the region. Nevertheless, for this to happen external investment is needed, particularly to increase the organizational, administrative and technical skills of beekeepers.; The landscape at La Montaña greatly benefits apiculture as the different vegetation types are rich in nectar- and pollen-yielding species. More than 100 species from at least 67 genera and 31 families of trees, shrubs, vines, woody-vines and annuals were found to be important for honey production. These species are present in the different vegetation types found in the region, including lowland and upland forests, fallow areas, recently disturbed sites, and savanna communities.; The “plant pollinator landscape” where honey bees forage, is a function of the bees' response to spatial and temporal variation in floral resources (Bronstein 1995). Floral resources are distributed in the landscape both in space and time, according to the distribution and abundance of melliferous and polliniferous species, and to their flowering periods. The patchy nature of the landscape at La Montaña offers diverse resources for bees to forage in, favoring apiculture.; An analysis of a 4-year period of Landsat Thematic Mapper remotely-sensed imagery showed that forest conversion may be intensifying at La Montaña, as cattle ranching becomes a management goal for people in the area; communication at the regional, national and international levels increases; and the population grows. As a buffer zone for the largest reserve in Mexico, the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, management practices for La Montaña that favor forest conservation are of the utmost importance. Honey production at La Montaña and similar areas represents a promising activity that can favor both natural resources conservation and socio-economic development. Nevertheless, for this to occur, there needs to be a directed effort through the implementation of specific management practices. Alternative markets may also play a crucial incentive role.