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U. de Chile Presents Innovative Beekeeping Manual

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The University of Chile, through its Faculty of Forest Sciences, has launched a beekeeping manual that promises to be a key tool for sustainable honey production. Developed with the support of the Native Forest Research Fund (FIBN) of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), the "Beekeeping Manual of Honey-Producing Species from the Native Sclerophyllous Forest and Scrubland of Central Chile" is the result of meticulous work by Gustavo Cruz, Mario Gallardo, and Natalia Varela.

This manual not only compiles botanical and beekeeping knowledge but also provides practical tools for managing 23 key species in honey production. Among them are maitén, maqui, huingan, and quisco, as well as classic species like litre, peumo, and quillay. The text includes descriptive fact sheets with detailed images and illustrations of flowers, leaves, fruits, and bark, along with information on the beekeeping characteristics of each species.

The authors have comprehensively addressed various aspects of the species, such as their distribution in Chile, altitude, field location, life form, and sex at the individual and flower levels. Additionally, the manual stands out for its pocket-sized format, designed to help beekeepers easily identify flora of interest in their apiaries and create floral calendars.

The project, which began in 2019, involved two and a half years of fieldwork and surveys with beekeepers, complemented by recent studies and scientific articles. This integrated approach covers not only internal hive management but also seasonal beekeeping practices and the management of surrounding flora.

The manual is presented as a fundamental tool to encourage beekeepers to acquire botanical and ecological knowledge of Chile's native forests, thereby promoting sustainable practices and integrated environmental management. It also aims to increase the added value of beekeeping products and foster the conservation of natural heritage.

With the publication of this manual, the University of Chile and the research team make a significant contribution to innovation and education in the beekeeping sector, positioning themselves as a reference for future studies and projects in sustainable beekeeping.