Bees and sustainability: Beekeepers' view of economic and ecological impact

The present research aimed to analyze the economic, ecological, and environmental perception of beekeepers from Madalena (CE) regarding bees. Seventeen beekeepers from different areas of the municipality were interviewed. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews comprising fourteen open-ended questions and ten multiple-choice questions. Data analysis involved transcribing the interviews and organizing quantitative data into graphs and tables. Results revealed that the interviewed beekeepers displayed knowledge about the ecological relevance of bees, understanding their crucial role in plant pollination and biodiversity maintenance. The activity also fostered environmental awareness, promoting sustainable practices and environmental preservation. The research highlights the importance of beekeeping as an economic, ecological, and environmental awareness activity, emphasizing the necessity to preserve bees for biodiversity maintenance and food security.