Urban beekeeping is not saving our precious pollinators – it’s killing them

After massive population declines, the honey bee has become a symbol of conservation. But that doesn’t mean we should prioritise it over other species, says Rebecca Bosy. Overpopulating city ecosystems could be disastrous for biodiversity, and, in turn, the survival of the human race

A third of the food we eat each day relies on pollination by bees and other insects (Rebecca Bosy)

Finally, spring has sprung. Soon, bees will be buzzing about, navigating flowery meadows and city streets alike, crash-landing into nutritious blossoms. However, despite relentless “Save the Bees” campaigns, danger is still looming for these furry little creatures – but for different reasons than you might think.

For years, urban beekeeping has been on the rise in big cities such as London. The introduction of more pollinators to metropolitan areas has been hailed by many as an environmental saviour. But this supposedly eco-friendly practice might bring more harm than good in the long run, as it threatens the myriad of insects already living in – and depending on – urban areas.

New research shows that beekeeping reduces the diversity of wild pollinators, which negatively impacts plant-pollinator networks, meaning that introducing huge numbers of honey bees into cities is not the solution we have been searching for. Honey bees are among the only pollinators that make enough honey for human consumption, as they do not hibernate but remain active all winter. Unfortunately, this means that these bees collect nectar and pollen from more plants than any other native species, which creates fierce competition for food. In areas where flowers are already in short supply, this is disastrous for biodiversity, and could result in native pollinators starving.