The WaterBlog

No stings attached: bee biodiversity in the Amazon

by Pablo Fajardo and Frank van Steenbergen The biodiversity epicenter that is the Amazon is reflected in the almost endless number of species of bees. They play a major role in the cross pollination of the Amazon’s diversity of trees species, with several bee species uniquely specializing in specific trees. Most of the bees in the Amazon belong to families of stingless bees, such as Melipona, Trigona sp, Tetragonisca angustula. The latter are lovingly called angel bees – for all the goodness they bring. The honey of the angel bees is high in nourishment but also very high in anti-inflammatory properties, comparable to the famous Manuka honey from New Zealand that has many medical applications. The medicinal properties of all the different species of Amazon bees need to be further documented, but traditional knowledge has it that certain honeys are very effective for certain ailments, such as eye diseases and respiratory defects. The working is said to come from resin of… Continued

Previous posts

Liberia: The Compelling Case for Water Management with Green Roads

By Taye Alemehayu (MetaMeta Research) This write-up makes the case to integrate the development of road with water and land … Continued

The Key Steps of the Miyawaki method to plant a mini-forest

By Jean-Baptiste CHAUDRON at Restore Forest Everyone has already felt the interest of learning new things. When it comes to a … Continued

Why soil preparation is so important for your plantation?

By Jean-Baptiste CHAUDRON at Restore Forest Soil is the base for all plants and trees. It is also the home of … Continued

Rodent Management: Women’s Roles and Resilience

By Anushree Mitra and Meghna Mukherjee Introduction: Severity of rodent damage Picture this: you meticulously save your hard-earned money, stashing … Continued

The untapped potential: local water management in Bangladesh

Frank van Steenbergen & David Mornout Water is, of course, at the heart of agriculture. The quantity and quality of … Continued

The everlasting shepherd

By Frank van Steenbergen It is of millennia: the movement of flocks of sheep from the lowlands in Southeastern Anatolia … Continued

Rodents in South East Anatolia: Taking Stock

By Kübra Elmas, Rukiye Oca, Luwieke Bosma and Sukru Esin Rodents are a big problem for farmers in Turkey as … Continued

The Jesus Well

by Frank van Steenbergen In the Ulu Mosque in Sanliurfa – the city of prophets in Southeastern Anatolia – there … Continued

Traditional rat trapping methods in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Authors: Anushree Mitra and Luwieke Bosma Rodents, mainly rats and mice, have been a common enemy of farmers across the … Continued

Call to action: Let’s work together to curtail rodents harmful impact on food production in India.

Authors: Dr. Neena Singla (Punjab Agricultural University), Luwieke Bosma and Anushree Mitra (MetaMeta Research), and Dikhyani Konwar (PRADAN). The issue … Continued

Enhancing Micronutrients levels in Crops: Promising Results from Chickpea Iron and Zinc Spray Trial in Baluchistan

Reinier Veldman (MetaMeta) and Mohammad Abdul Salam (SPO Pakistan and FBLN Pakistan) As part of the Newarbi-project (New Water Rights … Continued

The oyster and the pearl

By Frank van Steenbergen The Kizilkoyun funerary in ancient Urfa has 133 burial chambers carved into the limestone rock. The … Continued

Re-enter the arena: The challenge with water in Cartagena

By David Mornout Nestled along the stunning coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, the historic city of Cartagena in Spain enchants … Continued

Maasai and their local climate

A pastoral community finding ways to combat the biggest threats of climate change. By Ishani Sonak (MetaMeta) and Femke van … Continued

Drying Mountain Springs in Nepal

By Saroj Yakami It is a cause of high alarm – springs are drying in high mountain areas and there … Continued

Choosing the Ice Lake – the 40 Martyrs

By Frank van Steenbergen, on a series of 3 blogs connecting biblical events with water. In Southeastern Anatolia the church … Continued

Donkey Dignity

By Frank van Steenbergen and Sukru Esin Postcard from Mardin, Southeast Anatolia in the valley of martyrs. In the narrow … Continued

Out of options?

“That was our water kiosk. It is now the home of the crocodiles.” By Esmee Mulder, MetaMeta The boda-boda (motorbike) … Continued