– Urban beekeeping: a green illusion? The need for a measured approach to regenerate biodiversity in cities
MILAN, Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Urban beekeeping is experiencing rapid growth. The romantic image of bees hovering between skyscrapers, bringing nature back to paved cities, is quite attractive. A recent Nature study has shown that “we found large increases in the number of hives in all cities, from an average of 6.48 hives per km2 (3,139 hives in total) in 2012 to an average of 8.1 hives per km2 (6370 in total) in 2018 and we observe that the available resources are insufficient to maintain the current densities of the hives, which are currently unsustainable.”
Likewise, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), between 2011 and 2021, the number of beehives worldwide grew by 26 percent, from 81.4 to 101.6 millions. But is urban beekeeping really the panacea we all think it is for urban biodiversity and sustainability?
Limited space: a hostile environment for bees
Cities represent complex territories for bees. Although some green places offer shelter, the urban environment often offers limited floral space and variety, making it difficult to maintain significant numbers of hives and substantial honey productions. The lack of a wide variety of flowers and plants from which bees can collect pollen and nectar is a major obstacle facing urban beekeepers.
Competition with wild bees: a threat to biodiversity
Cities are not only home to domestic bees, but also a variety of wild bees and other pollinating insects. Therefore, the introduction of urban hives may lead to competition for food resources between domestic and wild bees, putting the survival of native species at risk and reducing overall pollinator biodiversity.
In conclusion, there is an urgent need to act to regenerate biodiversity in cities. We need to work on solutions that can guarantee the well-being of all pollinating insects, especially wild ones. Urban beekeeping is not the solution and this approach goes beyond simply creating an illusion of green without offering real benefits to urban sustainability. So what can we do about it? The need for specific and effective measures to make our cities greener is clear, but what specific steps can we take to achieve this goal?
The three fundamental actions to restore biodiversity in cities
Returning biodiversity to cities is not just a wish, but an achievable goal with a clear and measured strategy. The essential actions can be summarized in three phases, with the aim of creating a balance between the urban world and nature:
In this context, 3Bee’s Biodiversity Oases represents a pioneering initiative. They are habitats of urban and agroforestry biodiversity that present refuges for pollinators and native flora. Certified and monitored by the tech company’s internal technology, their impact is constantly measurable and supported by leading research partners who support the regeneration program. To date, 3Bee has created 123 Biodiversity Oases, planted more than 20,000 nectar-producing trees, and supported more than 5,000 biomonitoring hives. 3Bee’s current goal is to create the largest European ecological corridor for pollinators.
“Cities are fertile ground where human ingenuity and nature can work together in harmony. The role of farmers is crucial in this process: they are the true cultivators of biodiversity, experts in protecting and caring for species, essential not only in rural areas but also in urban ones.Our Biodiversity Oases, guided by their skill and dedication, represent a bridge between technological progress and respect for the environment.At 3Bee, this vision is at the center of our daily work and we strongly believe in its potential to create a more sustainable future,” said Niccolò Calandri, CEO of 3Bee.
Media Contacts: Lisa Santillo – PR
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