×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Study: Bees struggling to find flowers because of pollution

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Pollinating insects like bees use aromas given off by flowers to find nectar. [David Gichuru, Standar]

A new study has found that air pollution is preventing pollinators from finding flowers because it degrades the scent.

A research team comprising the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the Universities of Birmingham, Reading, Surrey and Southern Queensland, found that ozone substantially changes the size and scent of floral odour plumes given off by flowers and that it reduced honeybees' ability to recognise odours by up to 90 per cent from just a few metres away.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Bold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By AFP 4 hrs ago
Sports
Robertson to leave Liverpool at end of season
By AFP 5 hrs ago
Sports
Angola name former Senegal boss Cisse as new coach
Hockey
School Games: Ng'iya, Kisumu Day make semis as national hockey champs Tigoi bow out
Sports
School Games: Kakamega face Upper Hill as Yala renew rivalry with Kisii in rugby