Caring for Pollinators - Bundesamt für Naturschutz

Fonseca, Saraiva, Gonçalves, de Jong, Alves, Menezes, Francoy Brazilian Pollinators
Initiative
3.3 Brazilian Pollinators Initiative: Biodiversity and Sustainable Use
of Pollinators
by Vera Lucia Imperatriz Fonseca, Antônio Mauro Saraiva, Lionel S. Gonçalves, David De
Jong, Denise de Araujo Alves, Cristiano Menezes and Tiago M. Francoy, Brazil
Pollinators Initiatives are characterized by actions of different stakeholders who activate and
develop parts of the framework defined by the International Pollinators Initiative. People are
generally encouraged to carry out these activities through the program focal point and
leaderships as well as a result of increased awareness concerning the role of pollinators as
ecosystem services providers. The “Brazilian Pollinators Initiative” is developed by several
actors from civilian society who define the bases of activities to promote the sustainable use
and conservation of Pollinators and Pollination (Imperatriz-Fonseca et al., 2008).
Brazilian activities related to pollinators since 1998 included mainly assessment and
management.
Assessment
In assessment we consider information on pollinators as the first step. A survey of the
Brazilian literature on pollinators and pollination was published in 2006 as a book. The
biodiversity and the sustainable use of pollinators were also discussed in important
meetings, held in Brazil with participants from several countries. The first survey was
prepared after the International Workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Pollinators in Agriculture, with an Emphasis on Bees, by Kevan & Imperatriz-Fonseca eds.
(2002; reprinted in 2006). Freitas & Pereira organized the first meeting considering solitary
bees as pollinators in Brazil and the book from this meeting. Imperatriz-Fonseca et al.
reviewed the results of the meeting S. Paulo Declaration on Pollinators plus 5, assessing the
status and suggesting best practices for the use of bees as pollinators in Brazil.
The Catalog of Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Neotropical Region is a very important
source of information on stingless bees, by João M. F. de Camargo and Silvia R. M. Pedro;
literature until 2005 was included. An electronic version of this catalog will be on line in
August 2008.
Pollinators Network and other Information Technology Tools
Many activities related to the use of information technologies for research, education and
awareness on pollinators in Brazil deserve attention. They include instrumentation systems,
information systems and networks on pollinators.
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