Multicriteria Analysis in Apiculture: A Sustainable Tool for Rural Development in Communities and Conservation Areas of Northwest Peru

Abstract

Apiculture plays a vital role in maintaining a genetically diverse ecosystem and is an economic activity that contributes to the development of rural communities, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of beekeepers. However, despite the presence of over forty thousand beekeepers in Peru, there is currently no cartographic information available on optimal areas for the development of apiculture. Our study focused on assessing the suitability of land for apiculture development in rural and indigenous communities within the Amazonas Department in northwest Peru. We integrated biophysical and socioeconomic criteria using the Multiple Criteria Evaluation (MCE) technique, in conjunction with state-of-the-art geoinformation and earth observation techniques, to model and validate land suitability for supporting apiculture. It was identified that suitability is influenced by biophysical criteria (65%) and socioeconomic criteria (35%), resulting in highly suitable areas covering 315.6 km2 within the territory of peasant communities, 128.4 km2 within native communities, and an additional 41.4 km2 within conserved areas. Furthermore, to validate our results, we combined the use of high-resolution satellite imagery and visits to artisanal producers. This research provides valuable insights for spatiotemporal land use planning, emphasizing apicultural activity as a driver of rural development and biodiversity conservation. Consequently, this study contributes as a management tool to promote apicultural activities as support for rural development and in local-level decision making.

Unveiling Peru’s Agricultural Diversity: Navigating Historical and Future Trends in a Post-COVID-19 Context

“…The diversity indices of 47 crops recorded in rural areas of Peru are grouped into types of crops that are part of the country's food security [51], as well as crops of economic importance such as coffee and cacao. This research will allow for decisions to be made to prioritize and zone territories with aptitudes for these crops, as has been performed for potatoes [52], coffee [53], and cocoa [54]; there have even been studies of the potential distribution of crop species of medicinal importance in the country [25] and of the floral resources for bees in rural areas [55].…”