×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Read Offline Anywhere
★★★★ - 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.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full 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
Fresh storm over AK constitution review as reform battle drags on
Sports
Mombasa United strike first against Sharks in playoffs
Sports
Shujaa, Lionesses determined to retain Safari 7s titles
By Mike Kihaki 14 hrs ago
Sports
Talanta Stadium to be ready by December 31