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Sustaining the Stingless Bees: A Comparative Analysis of Commercial and Traditional Harvesting Techniques on Colony Survival and Genetic Diversity: A Review

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Stingless bees are vigorous tropical pollinators and producers of premium medicinal honey, driving a growing global industry. However, harvesting techniques may threaten their sustainability. This systematic literature review investigated the impacts of traditional versus commercial harvesting methods on stingless bee colony survival and genetic diversity. The findings revealed that traditional, often destructive harvesting led to high colony mortality, habitat destruction, and unsustainable yields, while also severely reducing wild population sizes and eroding local genetic adaptations. In contrast, commercial harvesting enhanced colony survival through non-invasive techniques, supplemental feeding, and health monitoring. Nevertheless, commercial harvesting introduced significant genetic risks, including genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding depression due to reliance on a limited number of founder colonies for propagation. The study concludes that while commercial practices represent a critical shift towards sustainable management, their long-term success is contingent on integrating active genetic diversity management strategies to safeguard the resilience of these indispensable pollinators.
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