Page 43 - ALG Issue 2 2019

How can gardeners and land managers improve urban areas for pollinators?
1. Increasethenumbersofflowersinurbangreenspaceareas,
e.g. by planting species that produce lots of nectar and pollen,
or mowing grass less often. Parks, other greenspaces and road verges collectively comprised around a third of the area of our study cities, a similar area to that of residential gardens, however they contained far fewer pollinators than gardens.
2. Althoughourresultsindicatethatgardensaregoodplaces
for pollinators, many gardens could be managed better for pollinators and other wildlife. Plant flowers, shrubs and bushes that are good for pollinators. Choose plants that have plenty of pollen and nectar that is accessible to pollinators, and aim to have flowers throughout the year to provide a constant supply of food. Our research suggests that borage, comfrey and lavender are particularly attractive for pollinators, and that weeds are important too: dandelions, buttercups and brambles are
very popular with pollinators.
3. Increasetheareaofallotmentsin cities. Not only are they great for pollinators and other
wildlife, research has
shown that allotment gardening has benefits for human health and wellbeing.
For more information about the research please visit www.urbanpollinators.org and to view a copy of the published research paper see https://rdcu.be/bgNMj
Hoverflies made up a quarter of all visits and other flies 30% of visits
Starting at the top and travelling clockwise: Surveying a cemetery in Edinburgh (Katherine Baldock), Bumble bee (Bombus lucorum) visiting an Eryngium flower (Nadine Mitschunas), Surveying an allotment in Leeds (Katherine Baldock), Surveying a road verge in Reading (Katherine Baldock), Bumble bee visiting a flower in an urban flower meadow (Nadine Mitschunas) and Anthophora plumipes bee (Nadine Mitschunas)
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 43