Why we need to get Bristol buzzing
The food we eat and the parks and gardens we enjoy are dependent on a host of insect pollinators. Sadly these important insects are under threat and in decline globally as well as in the UK, so what can we do to help them and get Bristol buzzing again?
Many wild flowers and crop plants depend on insect pollinators to set seed so it is essential that we conserve these important insects
Pollinators feed on the nectar and pollen produced by plants. This results in the transfer of pollen between plants leading to fertilisation and the production of seeds.
In the UK our main pollinators are insects, with bees, butterflies and hoverflies just some of the important insect groups that provide a pollination service for plant species.
The bee diversity in the UK comprises far more than the domesticated honeybee, Apis mellifera – there are also 26 bumblebee species and more than 250 solitary bee species.
Many wild flowers and crop plants depend on insect pollinators to set seed so it is essential that we conserve these important insects.
Get Bristol buzzing!
There are simple actions that can be taken to improve your garden and other habitats for pollinators, which will have a beneficial effect for other wildlife too.
Defra have recently published a National Pollinator Strategy for England and alongside this have produced information on how everyone can help pollinators: the Bees’ Needs.
They recommend these five simple actions and more details can be found on the Bees’ Needs website:
1. Grow more nectar and pollen-rich flowers, shrubs and trees
2. Leave patches of land to grow wild
3. Cut grass less often
4. Avoid disturbing or destroying nesting or hibernating insects
5. Think carefully about whether to use pesticides
For example, tomatoes, apples and strawberries all depend on insect pollination so if these important insects were to disappear we could lose many types of food from our shopping basket.
A report by Tom Breeze, University of Reading estimates that the total value of crops pollinated by insects is estimated to be £510m per year in the UK.
The actual cost of replacing the pollination services provided by these insects with hand pollination is estimated at £1.8bn per year.
Why are insect pollinators declining?
There are several possible causes of pollinator decline.
Firstly loss of natural habitat results in the loss of important food and nesting resources for pollinators.
For example, researcher F M Fuller writes that 97% of the UK’s wild flower meadows, a rich source of forage for many UK insect pollinators, have been lost since the 1930s.
Secondly modern farming practices which promote crop monocultures can negatively affect populations of these important insects.
Large areas of crops or grazing land leaves little room for wild flowers that are essential food for pollinating insects.
Thirdly, extensive use of pesticides in farming practices may be having a detrimental effect on pollinators.
Get involved
A consortium of partners has an ambition to Get Bristol Buzzing in 2015 and improve the city for pollinating insects.
The Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol City Council, Bristol Friends of the Earth, Buglife, South Gloucestershire Council, University of Bristol and University of the West of England are developing a series of activities and events to unite organisations and individuals interested in helping pollinators in the Greater Bristol area in 2015, Bristol’s Green Capital year.
You can read a draft version of the local Pollinator Strategy for the Greater Bristol urban area here. You can also provide feedback until 16 February, by completing this online survey on the University of Bristol website.
The survey will also enable us to find out about organisations and individuals with an interest in pollinator conservation as well as activities that are already underway or planned for 2015.
