To save our little urban pollinators

Insect pollinators are vital for food production and plant reproduction, yet these important species are declining all over the world. Many factors including modern farming practices, pesticide use, land use changes, habitat loss and climate change affect their population.

Public interest in bees and other insect pollinators has increased in recent times due to a rise in awareness of their significance in providing crucial ecosystem services. Studies have shown that urban areas support a rich diversity of insect pollinators. This leads us to believe that, with habitat loss and fragmentation in rural areas, cities could act as a refuge for pollinating insects.

Urban lands consist of many suitable features such as parks, gardens, roads and railway verges, building roofs, vacant lots and brownfield sites which could act as nesting and foraging grounds for insect pollinators. Also farming practices which are detrimental to wildlife, such as use of harmful pesticides, are restricted in populated areas, favouring the survival of insects within urban habitats.

So how can we improve our urban areas to support insect pollinator population? Research is first required to understand the native species and their requirements.

There are then a number of interventions that can be carried out to promote insect pollinators, as listed below.

• Using native wildflower meadow mixes along urban infrastructures
• Creating wildflower meadows in public parks
• Practicing less intensive maintenance regimes for grasses and meadows
• Formal planting with pollen and nectar trees or shrubs
• Green roofs, green walls, hanging baskets and window planters with diverse plant mixes that attract insect pollinators
• Restricting use of pesticides
• Addition of artificial nesting sites like bee hotels
• Promoting public awareness to gain their support and involvement
• Encouraging planting of flora to support insect pollinators in private gardens

Designing such interventions into our built environment in innovative ways, like the King’s Cross bee trail in London and the butterfly trail in Singapore, or encouraging the public with schemes like the pollinator friendly certification initiatives for gardens in many states in the US, can be a step closer to nature leading to a resilient future.

There are many organisations involved in research and promotion of urban conservation measures to support insect pollinator population in urban areas. The Buglife Trust in the UK is working on a “Urban Buzz” project under which 8 cities are chosen to be transformed to support pollinating insects by creation of suitable interventions, such as native flower meadows or formal planting where appropriate. Birmingham is one of the chosen cities and the trust has already completed a few interventions in the area.

Research by wildlife trusts and other organisations have shown that insect pollinators are just as happy living in cities and towns where there are as many different flowers and plants as the countryside, whereas farmlands can be relatively sterile. With the driving forces to conserve nature and wildlife, along with promotion of urban farming concepts, it is a priority to take measures to support insect pollinator population in urban areas. This will lead to a more naturalised environment and enhance biodiversity richness in cities, which has been shown to improve quality of life and promote the creation of distinctive, memorable places.