×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Home To Bold Columnists
★★★★ - 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
Sports
Solidarity Boys end St Joseph's national football reign
By AFP 1 hr ago
Football
Ronaldo fails to shine as DR Congo earn historic World Cup point
By AFP 1 hr ago
Football
Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge
Sports
Excitement as Standard County Golf Classic returns to Eldoret