Diversity of bee tree (sambit) for Apis dorsata conservation in Membalong, Belitung Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

The land transformation of forests to monoculture threatened the existence of biodiversity in Belitung, including the bee trees (local name: sambit) for Apis dorsata nesting. Bee farmers are having difficulty finding numerous kinds of bee trees. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify the species of bee trees, (2) to characterize the nesting branches of the bee tree, and (3) to identify the ecosystem of the bee trees in three villages in Membalong, Belitung Regency. Data were collected using: (1) interviewing bee farmers, (2) measurements of nesting branches, and (3) exploring the bee tree ecosystems. We discovered 22 species (13 families) of bee trees, with Myrtaceae was the most frequent. Syzygium cymosum (local name: mengkeling) was a common nesting tree of A. dorsata. The characteristics of bee trees were: height of the nesting branch: 7.85 ± 3.80 m above the ground, length of the branch: 2.74 ± 1.43 m, and the incline of the branch: 20.20° ± 2.57°. We found bee trees in terrestrial ecosystems (primary and secondary heath forests) and wetlands (swamps and mangroves). The last ecosystem was a new finding. We suggest local communities cultivate the native plants and reduce the area of forest land used.