Improving an African urban mosaic for insect pollinators through increased floral diversity and better functional connectivity

Urban Farm DB summary

A 2025 study investigated how insect pollinator diversity differs between gardens, agricultural areas and natural areas within a southern African urban mosaic composed of an urban core, farms and natural areas, and examined how urban green spaces influence pollinator taxonomic diversity. Direct observation and pan traps were used to assess pollinator diversity alongside measured environmental, floral and landscape variables. Results showed similar pollinator diversity between agricultural and natural areas for some taxa, and between agricultural areas and urban gardens for other taxa. Floral variables were the most important predictors of pollinators, with greater floral diversity ameliorating the effects of urbanization and agricultural intensification, while landscape context was significant but less important. Although results varied considerably among taxa, the findings suggest agroecological farming may buffer natural areas from urbanization effects and reduce urbanization's impact on pollinators in urban gardens by providing needed resources. The study identifies floral variables as important for urban green planning, achievable through establishing more flowering plants in human-modified areas such as semi-urban agricultural areas and urban gardens.