×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Kenya's Bold Newspaper
★★★★ - 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.

Uncover the stories others won't tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access.
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
Football
Will Harambee Starlets survive Australia's onslaught?
By AFP 10 hrs ago
Football
Bayern clash to define Real's season, says Bellingham
By Mike Kihaki 12 hrs ago
Sports
Mvurya hosts new CAF boss, unveils AFCON 2027 roadmap
By Ben Ahenda 17 hrs ago
Sports
Kenyan drivers ready for Uganda's Pearl of Africa Rally