FLORISTIC INVENTORY AND ANNUAL AVAILABILITY OF MELLIFEROUS FLORA IN CERVANTES Y LOZADA, CORDOBA MUNICIPALITY, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Pollinators depend on the melliferous flora for food, in return, flowers are pollinated, which contributes for the maintenance of ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity, increasing food production and ensuring food security. This research aims to provide an inventory of melliferous flora and its annual availability in Cervantes y Lozada, Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico. During 26 months, the plants interacting with bees were collected on defined rural roads; we also documented the resource provided by the flowers (pollen, honey, etc.), their origin (native or exotic), life form and flowering periods. From 122 collections, 76 melliferous species were inventoried, grouped in 74 genera and 35 botanical families, being Asteraceae (25 %) the family with more species, followed by Malvaceae (9.21 %) and Lamiaceae (7.89 %); 67.11 % are polliniferous, 7.86 % nectariferous, and 25 % provide both; 82.89 % are native and 17.11 % exotic; 15.79 % are trees, 28.95 % shrubs and 55.26 % herbs. Seven species provided resources for bees all year round, two for 10 months and the rest for shorter periods. The flora species that were inventoried have different uses, so it is important to protect and promote the sustainable management of the melliferous flora, which is essential for the conservation of the pollination service, which in turn is essential for agriculture and ecosystems, in addition to protecting species of social, ecological, and economic importance.