Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China
Abstract Background The Dulong (Drung) people have used plant materials in traditional beekeeping for many decades. However, there are few studies on the plants used in traditional beekeeping. Furthermore, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with beekeeping is still poorly understood....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13002-020-00414-z |
| _version_ | 1818541552417374208 |
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| author | Zhuo Cheng Binsheng Luo Qiong Fang Chunlin Long |
| author_facet | Zhuo Cheng Binsheng Luo Qiong Fang Chunlin Long |
| author_sort | Zhuo Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Dulong (Drung) people have used plant materials in traditional beekeeping for many decades. However, there are few studies on the plants used in traditional beekeeping. Furthermore, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with beekeeping is still poorly understood. TEK and plants associated with beekeeping play an important role in the conservation of native bees and the development of beekeeping. It is therefore very urgent to investigate, record, and study the plants and TEK of Dulong beekeeping. Methods Fieldwork was conducted in the Dulong community of Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, China. Six Dulong villages were investigated. Ethnobotanical methods such as free listing, semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. A total of 42 Dulong respondents provided information about plants used in traditional beekeeping. TEK related to traditional beekeeping plants was documented. Citation frequency, abundance, and preference ranking of log beehive plant species were used to identify plant resources that are “easier to obtain” and “more preferred.” Results There are two general methods of traditional Dulong beekeeping: living tree beekeeping and log beehive beekeeping. The investigation revealed that 38 species (in 19 families), including 30 tree species, 5 bamboo species, 2 herbaceous species, and 1 liana species, are used in traditional Dulong beekeeping. Different plant parts are used for different purposes. Twenty-seven tree species are used to make log beehives. Species from the family Pinaceae and Fagaceae are the most frequently represented. Seven of the most commonly reported species used to build log beehives were scored by ten beekeepers. Based on this scoring, the beekeepers’ most preferred species for making log beehives are Alnus nepalensis, Pinus yunnanensis, and Juglans regia. Conclusion The Dulong people have used various plants for traditional beekeeping and have accumulated rich TEK associated with apiculture. Future research will include a nutritive components analysis of honey from traditional Dulong beekeeping and an ethnobotanical investigation of melliferous species used in traditional Dulong apicultural systems. The application of plants and TEK associated with beekeeping is important for improving livelihoods in local communities, conserving biocultural diversity, and protecting the eco-environment of the Dulongjiang area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:10:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12dc9079672a4907b9bd630b5fd574ed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4269 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:10:46Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-12dc9079672a4907b9bd630b5fd574ed2022-12-22T00:48:47ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692020-10-0116111310.1186/s13002-020-00414-zEthnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, ChinaZhuo Cheng0Binsheng Luo1Qiong Fang2Chunlin Long3College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaCollege of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of ChinaAbstract Background The Dulong (Drung) people have used plant materials in traditional beekeeping for many decades. However, there are few studies on the plants used in traditional beekeeping. Furthermore, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with beekeeping is still poorly understood. TEK and plants associated with beekeeping play an important role in the conservation of native bees and the development of beekeeping. It is therefore very urgent to investigate, record, and study the plants and TEK of Dulong beekeeping. Methods Fieldwork was conducted in the Dulong community of Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, China. Six Dulong villages were investigated. Ethnobotanical methods such as free listing, semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. A total of 42 Dulong respondents provided information about plants used in traditional beekeeping. TEK related to traditional beekeeping plants was documented. Citation frequency, abundance, and preference ranking of log beehive plant species were used to identify plant resources that are “easier to obtain” and “more preferred.” Results There are two general methods of traditional Dulong beekeeping: living tree beekeeping and log beehive beekeeping. The investigation revealed that 38 species (in 19 families), including 30 tree species, 5 bamboo species, 2 herbaceous species, and 1 liana species, are used in traditional Dulong beekeeping. Different plant parts are used for different purposes. Twenty-seven tree species are used to make log beehives. Species from the family Pinaceae and Fagaceae are the most frequently represented. Seven of the most commonly reported species used to build log beehives were scored by ten beekeepers. Based on this scoring, the beekeepers’ most preferred species for making log beehives are Alnus nepalensis, Pinus yunnanensis, and Juglans regia. Conclusion The Dulong people have used various plants for traditional beekeeping and have accumulated rich TEK associated with apiculture. Future research will include a nutritive components analysis of honey from traditional Dulong beekeeping and an ethnobotanical investigation of melliferous species used in traditional Dulong apicultural systems. The application of plants and TEK associated with beekeeping is important for improving livelihoods in local communities, conserving biocultural diversity, and protecting the eco-environment of the Dulongjiang area.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13002-020-00414-zApis cerana ceranaBiodiversity conservationDulong ethnic groupEcosystem servicesTraditional beekeepingTraditional ecological knowledge |
| spellingShingle | Zhuo Cheng Binsheng Luo Qiong Fang Chunlin Long Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Apis cerana cerana Biodiversity conservation Dulong ethnic group Ecosystem services Traditional beekeeping Traditional ecological knowledge |
| title | Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China |
| title_full | Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China |
| title_fullStr | Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China |
| title_short | Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China |
| title_sort | ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by dulong people in yunnan china |
| topic | Apis cerana cerana Biodiversity conservation Dulong ethnic group Ecosystem services Traditional beekeeping Traditional ecological knowledge |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13002-020-00414-z |
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