Do ambiente natural ao setor produtivo : o uso de abelhas na bioindicação ambiental e subsídio à definição de políticas públicas

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential use of native bees and commercial hives in the bioindication of possible mercury (Hg) environmental contamination in different regions of Mato Grosso, covering the Amazon, Pantanal, and Cerrado domains, including native forests, areas anthropized by gold mining and urbanized areas, between the years 2021 and 2023. Thus, the present thesis is structured in chapters. Chapter I discusses the Euglossini bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the south of the Legal Amazon, using information on species richness and assembly structure, as well as the potential use in the bioindication of environmental contamination by Hg in an area of native forest, forest in the regeneration stage and degraded forest, in addition to the evaluation of Hg contamination in Eulaema cingulata. The results showed that the stages of degradation influence the structure of the Euglossini assemblage, and that E. cingulata is a generalist species and resistant to anthropized environments, not presenting Hg in its biomass, despite the existence of the metal in the environments where it occurs. On the other hand, the species Eufriesea ornata, Euglossa ignita, Euglossa orellana, Eulaema bombiformis and Exaerete frontalis are bioindicator species of conserved environments in the southern region of the Amazon. Chapter II presents the expansion of the occurrence records of Aglae caeruela (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in conservation areas in the Mato Grosso Amazon, encompassing the ecotonal region between the Cerrado-Amazon, mid-north of Mato Grosso. In this chapter, we emphasize the importance of conservation units, maintaining themselves as environments of refuge and preservation of species considered rare or threatened. In addition to natural environments, commercial apiaries associated with honey production and other bee products were evaluated as part of this thesis. Chapter III discusses the production of honey in the south of the Legal Amazon, evaluating the potential contamination in apiaries by mercury, using samples of bees, honey and wax as indicators of contamination. As a result, it was observed that there is no contamination of the honey produced, considering the results below the detection limits, including in apiaries close to the mining areas. It was considered, therefore, that beekeeping as an economic activity can be implemented in areas that will go through the process of environmental recovery, including mining areas, however, the development of this practice must be associated with permanent environmental monitoring, including chemical analysis of soils, plants, water, air and other substrates relevant to beekeeping in Mato Grosso. In general, the results of this study point to the potential use of bees and derivatives (honey and wax) as potential indicators of the presence of mercury, both in natural and commercial environments. Finally, Chapter IV presents the study carried out with beekeepers from different regions of Mato Grosso, addressing their perspectives relating to honey production. It was observed in this study that there is a need for greater encouragement by the government among beekeepers, including technical assistance, formalization of apiaries, records of losses and expansion of beekeeping pasture. There is also the possibility of developing beekeeping in areas close to mines and crops, with possibilities for growth and socioeconomic development, especially in municipalities with lower employment and income rates, expanding the economy of family farming. It was found that the beekeeping activities in Mato Grosso include many challenges to be overcome. The main points and proposals consist of the definition and elaboration of public policies that meet the demands of the productive sector, in a way that contributes to increasing income for small rural producers, as well as to boost sustainable exploration of production capacity of honey throughout the State.