People’s Knowledge and Perceptions Towards Bee–Pollinators in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania: Conservation Implications and Strategies

Abstract

Background and research aims Bees are important pollinators of flowering wild plants and agricultural crops that contribute significantly towards food security, improving people’s livelihoods, and maintaining genetic diversity in plant communities. However, the decline of the bee population due to anthropogenic changes and limited knowledge of bees is threatening bee diversity, particularly in sub–Saharan Africa. Negative perceptions, that is, fear and disgust, are common emotions that lead to a lack of support for bee conservation. Understanding local people’s perceptions is vital as it can help in bee conservation decision making and proper protection actions. Methods We conducted the study in the Mbeya and Songwe regions of Tanzania to assess the knowledge and perception of local people about bee–pollinators and conservation using a structured questionnaire Results We found that the majority of respondents (91%) have heard about bees (χ2 = 6275, p < 0.001) and their conservation initiatives (71%), and about 84% of respondents consider bees to be important (χ2 = 168.9, p = 0.001). Moreover, Apis mellifera had the highest identification rate, with 52.7% of respondents. A binary logistic model revealed that respondents' knowledge of bee–pollinators and pollination is not influenced by their age (except for respondents aged 15–18 years, p = 0.012) and education level. While 74% of respondents claimed to be afraid of bees, 79% stated that bees are dangerous to humans. The most common cause is personal experience with bee stings. Poor farm management practices, for example, use of fire and deforestation, were noted by 79% of respondents as the most human activities threatening bee–pollinators. Conclusion Overall, the respondents were more familiar with A. mellifera compared to non–Apis bee species. Implications for conservation Thus, we suggest that implementation of pollinator management programs is vital to ensure their survival and reduce the perceived threat by dispelling myths and encouraging interest in bees.

Insect-pollinators and their interactions with plants differ in disturbed and semi-natural areas: Tanzania's Southern Highlands case study

“…Insect-pollinators provide essential ecosystem services in several environments as they support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem well-being, 1 , 2 as well as crop production, 3 which enhances food security and human nutrition. 4 , 5 The majority of essential fats and micronutrients derived from plants for human consumption and societal well-being are the result of insect pollination.…”

“…This implies that the loss of insect-pollinators could result in a decrease in agricultural productivity, particularly in rural African communities whose crops are largely dependent on insect-pollinators. 3 Even though insect-pollinators are essential for life on Earth, there is growing concern over their demise. 11 Previous studies claim that the use of pesticides extensively, habitat loss due to degradation and deforestation, pathogens, diseases, 5 , 11 , 12 and invasions of alien species or competitors 13 – 16 are contributing factors to the global decline of pollinators.…”

“… 1 , 19 – 21 For instance, one of the largest barriers to effective insect-pollinator conservation in Tanzania is a severe lack of knowledge of the diversity of species and their interactions with flowering plants, particularly in the southern areas of the country. 3 Some survey effort has attempted to characterize the northern Tanzanian pollinators, especially in Arusha and Kilimanjaro, 1 , 20 , 21 but the Southern Highlands region is severely data-deficient. 3 As a result, the country has a significant number of insect-pollinator species that are still unidentified.…”

“… 3 Some survey effort has attempted to characterize the northern Tanzanian pollinators, especially in Arusha and Kilimanjaro, 1 , 20 , 21 but the Southern Highlands region is severely data-deficient. 3 As a result, the country has a significant number of insect-pollinator species that are still unidentified. African nations must therefore conduct thorough surveys to evaluate and establish their insect-pollinator databases.…”

“…farming activities, uncontrolled burning, fuel wood collection, and grazing) in disturbed and semi-natural areas. 3 As a result, the habitats and floral resources needed for insect-pollinators to survive are altered. Some insect-pollinators may be dwindling, which could have an adverse effect on how they interact with flowering plants.…”