Mowing less, spraying smarter give pollinators a boost
Roadsides may not look like wildlife habitat, but a few simple changes to how they are maintained could turn them into much better places for pollinators. A new uOttawa-led study found that reducing mowing and herbicide use along rural roadsides led to a 45% jump in pollinator numbers and a 23% increase in the number of species found there.
A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that reducing mowing and herbicide usage on rural roadsides can significantly boost pollinator populations. Led by Prof. Jessica Forrest, the research found that sites maintained with a low-intensity approach had 45% more pollinators and 23% greater species richness compared to conventionally managed roadsides.
Over two summers, researchers identified 3,773 pollinators from 31 sites, representing 153 species, including 100 bees and 53 flower flies. Lead author Gil Miranda discovered that low-intensity roadsides averaged 27 species per site, while conventional management resulted in an average of 22 species per site. The study, which involved a partnership between the University of Ottawa, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, demonstrates that minor adjustments to roadside maintenance could greatly benefit pollinators without compromising safety or management of invasive species.
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