The Importance of Bat Pollinators: Case Study in Southern Thailand Article Animal pollinators, including bats, play a crucial role in the reproduction of flowering plants. Learn how these often misunderstood creatures contribute to genetic diversity, ecosystem health, and our global economy. This article explores the challenges they face in the face of habitat loss and degradation, and to find out how you can help protect these essential pollinators. By Alyssa B. Stewart
The Benefits of Sustainable Honey Production in Southeast Asia Article Small-scale beekeeping with native species is a resourceful way of tapping into local honey production alongside increasing household incomes in Southeast Asia. Though honey from a range of different honey bee species can be harvested, finding those species most suitable to the native landscape will result in more ecological and community resilience. By Orawan Duangphakdee and Preecha Rod-im
Bees and Pesticides in Southeast Asia Article Most beekeepers have, at one time or another, found themselves confronted with the painful experience of finding a carpet of dead bees on the floor of one of their hives, or of observing bees in front of their hives exhibiting tremors, uncoordinated movements and convulsions; all signs of insecticide poisoning. By Eric Guerin
Sin Hengsamai, An Apis florea Honey Harvester and Organic Farmer Interview Mr. Sin Hengsamai and his wife, Mrs. Kuchanat Khemlai are organic farmers, members of the Sanam Chaikhet Organic Farming Group. However Sin prefers to work on the farm and stay at home, so Mrs. Kuchanat is the visible member of the group, whether at the weekly organic farmers market in the Sanam Chaikhet Hospital or at group meetings and events. By Michael B. Commons
Pollinator-Friendly Yards: How You Can Help Protect Pollinators Article Most plants rely on animal pollinators for reproduction, especially in the tropics where an estimated 94% of flowering plant species require pollinators. However, pollinator populations have been declining worldwide, and two of the main factors driving pollinator declines include habitat loss and pesticide use. The good news is that anyone and everyone can help these important animals simply by making their yard landscaping more pollinator-friendly. By Alyssa B. Stewart
Our Alliance Next Door: We Need to Save Bees or Perish with Them Opinion In a lawn in front of my home, there is a large yellow elder shrub, which I did not pay much attention to it, even though its crown was directly at my bedroom’s window, but right there at the evergreen shrub that always decorated with yellow trumpet-shaped flowers resides our best hope to combat adverse impacts to Bangkok’s food security from climate change. By Pratch Rujivanarom
Native Honey Bees of Southeast Asia and Conservation Challenges Article The disappearance of the honey bee is widely publicized, especially in Europe and North America, with colony collapse disorder observed in apiaries of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Much less interest, however, has been paid to Southeast Asian native honey bees whose fate also deserves attention. This article explores the conservation challenges of the eight native honey bee species of Southeast Asia. By Eric Guerin
Pollinators in Peril, Our Food System in Crisis, and the Potential for Restoration Article A number of climate change studies even predicted increasing insect populations and pest problems. While I think this loss has been overlooked as most people don't care much about insects and see them more as a nuisance than a benefit, their decline correlates with a decline in many other species. The loss of any species should draw our concern, when it comes to our own livelihood and the food on our tables, the insects that are so critical are those that pollinate our crops. By Michael B. Commons
