Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is of utmost importance for biodiversity conservation; however, a number of studies document the loss of LEK regarding native bees. Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are important pollinators that have been managed by humans in all tropical areas of the world. Our work documents the decline of Meliponini and associated LEK in the state of Michoacan, western Mexico, as well as local historical management and perceptions of the diversity and abundance of bees. Through ecological sampling, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, we established the presence of 13 species of Meliponini and recognition of 23 local names. Although stingless bees’ pot-honey is harvested directly through extraction of wild nests, local knowledge about bee diversity, behavior, and use can contribute to their conservation. Because of recent access to manufactured products and the scarcity of wild nests, LEK and pot-honey harvest are being abandoned and forgotten in some areas. Maintaining LEK is important in designing sustainable use strategies to prevent the extinction of wild nests and allow conservation of bees as well as the cultural legacy associated with them, essential in the context of a global decline of pollinators.

中文翻译：

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生物文化多样性丧失：墨西哥西部米却肯州本土无刺蜂（蜜蜂科：Meliponini）和当地生态知识的减少

当地生态知识 (LEK) 对生物多样性保护至关重要；然而，许多研究记录了本地蜜蜂 LEK 的损失。无刺蜂（蜜蜂科：Meliponini）是重要的传粉媒介，在世界所有热带地区都由人类管理。我们的工作记录了墨西哥西部米却肯州 Meliponini 和相关 LEK 的衰落，以及当地历史管理和对蜜蜂多样性和丰度的看法。通过生态抽样、半结构化访谈和参与观察，我们确定了 13 种 Meliponini 的存在和 23 个地方名称的识别。尽管无刺蜜蜂的蜂蜜是通过提取野生蜂巢直接收获的，但当地有关蜜蜂多样性、行为和用途的知识有助于保护它们。由于最近可以获得制成品和野生巢穴的稀缺性，LEK 和蜂蜜收获正在一些地区被放弃和遗忘。保持 LEK 在设计可持续利用战略方面很重要，以防止野生巢穴的灭绝，并允许保护蜜蜂以及与之相关的文化遗产，这在全球传粉媒介减少的背景下至关重要。