{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1787539,
        "msgid": "new-book-bees-and-trees-highlights-symbiotic-link-between-honey-bees-and-tropical-forests-1780678251",
        "date": "2026-06-05 23:07:00",
        "title": "New Book 'Bees and Trees' Highlights Symbiotic Link Between Honey Bees and Tropical Forests",
        "author": "Basuki Eka Purnama",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "A new book launched in Jakarta examines the critical mutualism between Asian giant honey bees and tropical trees, highlighting threats from deforestation and climate change. Researchers warn that monoculture plantations and weather anomalies are destroying bee habitats and disrupting life cycles, impacting both ecosystems and local livelihoods.",
        "content": "<p>The 2026 World Environment Day served as the backdrop for the launch\nof a significant literary work on tropical forest ecosystems. The book,\ntitled \u2018Bees and Trees: Book One \u2013 Asian Giant Honey Bees, Flowers and\nForest Peoples\u2019, was officially introduced in Jakarta on Friday\n(5\/6\/2026). The launch was initiated by PARARA Environment Day in\ncollaboration with NTFP-EP Asia and the Indonesian Forest Honey Network\n(JMHI). Focused on bees and trees, the book is not merely scientific\ndocumentation but a deep reflection on the future of forest honey\nfarmers and ecosystem sustainability amidst the increasingly real threat\nof climate change. The book thoroughly explores the mutualistic\nsymbiotic relationship between the Asian giant honey bee and\nnectar-producing trees. Trees provide nectar, pollen, and nesting sites,\nwhile bees act as natural pollinators ensuring forest regeneration\ncontinues. However, this harmony is on the brink. Sih Kahono, a\nresearcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)\nBiological Research Centre, revealed that land conversion into\nmonoculture plantations, such as oil palm, has drastically reduced the\nbees\u2019 natural habitat. Moreover, weather anomalies caused by climate\nchange disrupt plant flowering cycles, leading to the disruption of bee\ncolony life cycles. \u2018These bee colonies migrate based on the seasons. At\nsome point they will return to their original forest. The problem is,\nwhat if when they return, the forest is gone or has turned into a\nsettlement?\u2019 Sih Kahono said at the launch. This crisis impacts not only\nnature but also human well-being. In Flores, volcanic eruptions have\nreportedly damaged bee forage trees, compounded by a decline in public\npurchasing power for forest honey products. This threatens the\nlivelihoods of indigenous and local communities who depend on non-timber\nforest products (NTFPs). Responding to this, Junaidi Zain from the\nSustainable Forest Cooperative stressed the importance of wise forest\ngovernance. He affirmed a commitment not to open plantation land in\nprotected areas and to focus on utilising NTFPs such as honey,\ncandlenut, cinnamon, and rattan. \u2018The implementation of sustainable\nharvesting standards is crucial. By protecting honey trees and\nnectar-producing trees, we ensure honey production remains sustainable\nwithout damaging nature,\u2019 Junaidi explained. A main attraction of the\n\u2018Bees and Trees\u2019 book is the involvement of the Indonesian Society of\nBotanical Artists (IDSBA). A total of 16 manual botanical illustrations\nare displayed to educate the public about the types of trees bees rely\non for survival. Through an artistic approach, it is hoped that public\nand policymaker awareness will increase to protect bee habitats as part\nof the national food system. The book is expected to be a catalyst for\nconsumers and businesses to support responsible honey harvesting\npractices, while also strengthening the protection of remaining Asian\ntropical rainforests.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-book-bees-and-trees-highlights-symbiotic-link-between-honey-bees-and-tropical-forests-1780678251",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}