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Small garden? No problem! Researchers prove that ‘mini-meadows’ can make rich habitats for pollinators
By: Stephanie Allen
Last updated: Tuesday, 15 March 2022
University of Sussex
"For many people, a lack of space is often the main reason for not creating wildlife friendly habitats in their gardens. But researchers at the University of Sussex, with the help of citizen scientists across the UK, have shown that even a space of just 4m2 is enough to provide a rich habitat for pollinators and support biodiversity.
Researchers Janine Griffiths-Lee, Dr Beth Nicholls and Professor Dave Goulson worked with citizen scientists across the UK over a period of two years to investigate the effectiveness of sown wildflower ‘mini-meadows’ in gardens and allotments, using commercially available seed mixes. Insect-sampling was conducted during May and August with insect identification by trained specialists. The results showed that, in the year following seed-sowing, mini-meadows were supporting on average 111% more bumblebees compared to control plots where no wildflowers had been sown. These resource rich habitats also attracted 87% more solitary bees, and 85% more solitary wasps.
Janine Griffiths-Lee, a PhD researcher at the University of Sussex part-funded by the CB Dennis Trust, and one of the authors of the study published in the Journal of Insect Conservation, said: “This project shows that mini-meadows can really help pollinators, increasing both insect abundance and diversity in the garden.
- Sown mini-meadows increase pollinator diversity in gardens | Journal of Insect Conservation, 10.03.2022 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10841-022-00387-2
via Dave Goulson sur Twitter : "Our latest research shows that even a 2 x 2 m patch of wildflowers in a garden can have a big positive impact for pollinators: https://t.co/IPXc8mTvEc" / Twitter
https://twitter.com/DaveGoulson/status/1503792560954818562
[Image] Sprawling blue and white wildflowers in a 4m squared plot.
Photo Credit: Anne Macarthur
