Small gardens are as vital as larger green areas for conserving bees and other pollinators in UK cities, a Bristol study has found. The bee population is in rapid decline worldwide, with pesticides, drought, habitat destruction, air pollution and climate breakdown all contributing to the demise of their species.
A study at the University of Bristol has revealed the size of gardens in Bristol had little connection to the amount of nectar produced. "I surveyed 59 in total, which spanned everything from flower-rich oases to tiny concrete patios of just a short lawn," said Nicholas Tew, a PhD student at the University of Bristol. "Short-cut lawns are particularly bad when they are not allowed to flower (with 'weeds')."
The study analysed these gardens in Bristol each month from March to October to track the differences between how much food gardens produce for pollinators, and when nectar production peaks. Short mown gardens, hard surfaces and spraying weedkillers can all have negative effects on bees - and are all associated with our obsession with tidiness.
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Previous studies have revealed gardens and allotments to be vital sources of nectar, the sugar-rich energy source pollinators need. However, allotments cover only 1 per cent of cities, and on average 85 per cent of nectar in cities is produced in gardens.
An environment that is neat and tidy with a few ornamental flowers in borders cannot cater for the wide array of pollinators that were here before Bristol first existed, Nicholas explained. A cultural obsession with tidiness and fitting in with the ideals of what a garden should look like can contribute to the decline of insect habitats.
"Gardens are really crucial for pollinators and cover about 28 per cent of the city," added Nicholas. "If future developments contain no gardens or very small gardens or those covered with hard paved surfaces then this is a threat."
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He continued: "Bristol itself, being a city, is actually likely to be something of a refuge for many bee species compared with the surrounding farmland, although that depends on how intensively-grazed the land is. Some bees have gone extinct over the past hundred years or so, but more often it is that species are now found in little scattered pockets of suitable habitat were before they were widespread."
But how can residents in Bristol enhance their outdoor spaces to help conserve the bee population? Nicholas suggests mowing the lawn less would be one option, as this helps to lengthen the time the area of grass and flowers can deliver nectar for pollinators.
The study identified shrubs as producing the most nectar for pollinators. Nicholas suggested plants such as a flowering currant, dwarf willow, Pieris, or a small fruit tree, which are strong attractors for pollinators.
"Shrubs and trees are great because the 3D arrangement of flowers allows so many to fit into a small area." Nicholas suggested a single flowering currant bush can provide as much nectar to bees as around 20,000 primrose flowers, which would taken up much more garden space.
"The up-front cost of a shrub or tree from a garden centre can be more than herbaceous plants (but could easily be as low as £15), but they will last for years. There are plenty of dwarf varieties, so you don't need to worry about space in a small garden."
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