Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico

Abstract Background Mangrove ecosystems recognized for their biodiversity and ecosystem services that offer unique opportunities for sustainable livelihoods such as honey production. This study characterizes the beekeeping practices associated with mangroves in Sabancuy, Campeche, Mexico, emphasizin...

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Main Authors: Crhistian Laynes-Magaña, William Cetzal-Ix, Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Iván Tamayo-Cen, Jesús F. Martínez-Puc, Eliana Noguera-Savelli, Benito B. Dzib-Castillo, Saikat Kumar Basu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00794-0
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author Crhistian Laynes-Magaña
William Cetzal-Ix
Héctor M. J. López-Castilla
Iván Tamayo-Cen
Jesús F. Martínez-Puc
Eliana Noguera-Savelli
Benito B. Dzib-Castillo
Saikat Kumar Basu
author_facet Crhistian Laynes-Magaña
William Cetzal-Ix
Héctor M. J. López-Castilla
Iván Tamayo-Cen
Jesús F. Martínez-Puc
Eliana Noguera-Savelli
Benito B. Dzib-Castillo
Saikat Kumar Basu
author_sort Crhistian Laynes-Magaña
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Mangrove ecosystems recognized for their biodiversity and ecosystem services that offer unique opportunities for sustainable livelihoods such as honey production. This study characterizes the beekeeping practices associated with mangroves in Sabancuy, Campeche, Mexico, emphasizing their ecological and economic significance. Methods Through 28 semi-structured surveys, we have analyzed the socioeconomic and ecological perspectives of the local beekeepers operating in these coastal environments. The surveyed beekeepers, with an average age of 49 years and 23.6 years of experience, primarily engage in complementary honey production, leveraging both migratory and stationary apiary systems. Hive management practices include queen replacement, artificial feeding, colony division, and adherence to organic certification protocols. Results The study highlights an annual average honey production of 65.37 kg per colony, with peak yields occurring during the transition from dry to rainy seasons (May–June). Integrating floral phenology and phylogenetic frameworks the principal plant resources supporting honeybees, enhancing the sustainability of the mangrove-based beekeeping. Conclusion Apiculture not only produces economic opportunities for the local communities; but also contributes to conservation goals by fostering biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. These findings underscore the potential of mangrove beekeeping as a replicable model for sustainable development in other coastal regions worldwide with similar ecosystems. Furthermore, this research seeks to bridge critical knowledge gaps about Apis mellifera in mangrove ecosystems by addressing socio-ecological factors influencing honey production, evaluating its benefits for local communities, and exploring its role within broader conservation strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-b85c6d76fac7496ea5f36fd5ff7107282025-08-20T03:21:06ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692025-06-0121111710.1186/s13002-025-00794-0Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern MexicoCrhistian Laynes-Magaña0William Cetzal-Ix1Héctor M. J. López-Castilla2Iván Tamayo-Cen3Jesús F. Martínez-Puc4Eliana Noguera-Savelli5Benito B. Dzib-Castillo6Saikat Kumar Basu7Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináInvestigadora Por México SECIHTI, Centro de Estudios de Desarrollo Sustentable y Aprovechamiento de La Vida Silvestre (CEDESU), Universidad Autónoma de CampecheTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de ChináPFSAbstract Background Mangrove ecosystems recognized for their biodiversity and ecosystem services that offer unique opportunities for sustainable livelihoods such as honey production. This study characterizes the beekeeping practices associated with mangroves in Sabancuy, Campeche, Mexico, emphasizing their ecological and economic significance. Methods Through 28 semi-structured surveys, we have analyzed the socioeconomic and ecological perspectives of the local beekeepers operating in these coastal environments. The surveyed beekeepers, with an average age of 49 years and 23.6 years of experience, primarily engage in complementary honey production, leveraging both migratory and stationary apiary systems. Hive management practices include queen replacement, artificial feeding, colony division, and adherence to organic certification protocols. Results The study highlights an annual average honey production of 65.37 kg per colony, with peak yields occurring during the transition from dry to rainy seasons (May–June). Integrating floral phenology and phylogenetic frameworks the principal plant resources supporting honeybees, enhancing the sustainability of the mangrove-based beekeeping. Conclusion Apiculture not only produces economic opportunities for the local communities; but also contributes to conservation goals by fostering biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. These findings underscore the potential of mangrove beekeeping as a replicable model for sustainable development in other coastal regions worldwide with similar ecosystems. Furthermore, this research seeks to bridge critical knowledge gaps about Apis mellifera in mangrove ecosystems by addressing socio-ecological factors influencing honey production, evaluating its benefits for local communities, and exploring its role within broader conservation strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00794-0BeekeepingConservation strategiesEconomical alternativeFloral phenologyMangrove honeyManagement techniques
spellingShingle Crhistian Laynes-Magaña
William Cetzal-Ix
Héctor M. J. López-Castilla
Iván Tamayo-Cen
Jesús F. Martínez-Puc
Eliana Noguera-Savelli
Benito B. Dzib-Castillo
Saikat Kumar Basu
Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
Beekeeping
Conservation strategies
Economical alternative
Floral phenology
Mangrove honey
Management techniques
title Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
title_full Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
title_fullStr Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
title_short Honey production, an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems: a case study in Sabancuy, Campeche, southeastern Mexico
title_sort honey production an economic alternative for coastal areas with mangrove ecosystems a case study in sabancuy campeche southeastern mexico
topic Beekeeping
Conservation strategies
Economical alternative
Floral phenology
Mangrove honey
Management techniques
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00794-0
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