The Discovery of a Forgotten World
The biologist Waldesse Piragé de Oliveira Júnior has always had a special passion for bees. His journey began in 1992, in Uberlândia, during his graduation, when he started working with Apis mellifera, the most used bee species in the country for beekeeping. However, it was during his master's and doctoral studies in genetics and biochemistry that Piragé began to dedicate himself to native stingless species, which are the majority of Brazilian bees.
His research lines took him to the Cerrado, the predominant biome in Tocantins. In 2004, he moved to Palmas, the state capital, where he currently works as a researcher and professor of environmental engineering at the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT). Years later, in 2016, Piragé founded the "BeeTech", a group that researches the management, conservation, and biology of these insects.
Why This Matters
The absence of records of bee species in Tocantins was one of the main motivations for Piragé to create the BeeTech. "We are pioneers in the state," said the researcher. The importance of this work cannot be underestimated, as bees play a fundamental role in pollination and maintaining biodiversity.
In addition, Tocantins is a state with a great variety of ecosystems, including the Cerrado, which is one of the most threatened biomes in Brazil. The loss of biodiversity in this region can have serious consequences for the environment and for society as a whole.
The Science Behind the Bees
Bees are fascinating insects that play a crucial role in pollinating plants. In Brazil, there are over 300 species of native bees, most of them stingless. These bees are responsible for pollinating a wide variety of plants, including agricultural crops and native plants.
Pollination is a complex process that involves the transfer of pollen from one plant to another. Bees are the main pollinators of many plants, and their loss can have serious consequences for food production and biodiversity.
Broader Context
The work of the BeeTech is not isolated. There are many other projects and initiatives around the world that aim to protect and conserve bees and other pollinators. In Brazil, there are several organizations and institutions that work to protect biodiversity and promote environmental conservation.
However, the loss of biodiversity is a serious and complex problem that requires an integrated and coordinated approach. It is necessary that governments, non-governmental organizations, communities, and individuals work together to protect the environment and promote the conservation of biodiversity.
What's Next
The BeeTech is an example of how science and society can work together to protect the environment and promote the conservation of biodiversity. The group has developed extension projects and initiatives that bring academic knowledge to society through actions with communities, rural producers, and schools in the countryside.
However, it is necessary that more is done to protect the bees and other pollinators. It is necessary that governments and non-governmental organizations invest more in research and conservation projects, and that communities and individuals are made aware of the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Conclusion
Tocantins is a state with a great variety of ecosystems and a rich biodiversity. However, the loss of biodiversity is a serious and complex problem that requires an integrated and coordinated approach. The BeeTech is an example of how science and society can work together to protect the environment and promote the conservation of biodiversity.
It is necessary that more is done to protect the bees and other pollinators. It is necessary that governments and non-governmental organizations invest more in research and conservation projects, and that communities and individuals are made aware of the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay Brasil.