Louise is a final year student here at Maynooth University. She started off studying Science Education and has now focused on Biology with a particular focus on plant biology, ecology and environmental studies. She wrote her dissertation last year on the factors associated with bee decline and is passionate about the environment. Hear what she has to say!

1. Can you tell us what your dissertation was about briefly?
    

My dissertation focused on the factors associated with bee decline but many of the same issues affecting bees affect all pollinator types such as butterflies, moths, flies and even some birds and mammals. I investigated the impact of habitat loss due to agriculture and the use of insecticides, particularly the detrimental effect a certain class of insecticides called neonicotinoids.

 

   2. What is so important about pollinators?

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Pollinators play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity in nature and also in food production. Insects are responsible for the pollination of 84% of EU crops and bees alone pollinate almost one thirds of the world’s crops. Without them, the plants we rely on for food such as fruit and nuts would not be pollinated and their growth and overall yield would be greatly reduced.

 

    3. What do you wish more people knew about this subject? 

        The above!

 

    4. What is the biggest problem facing pollinators today?

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  The biggest issue facing pollinators is habitat loss. Modern agriculture and        urbanisation has removed hedges and patches of wildflower from vast urban areas and farmland meaning there are less suitable areas for pollinators to nest or feed.

Unfortunately it’s becoming a vicious cycle. We are removing potential habitats for the pollinators in favour of cultivating all the land we possibly can for efficient food production but in doing this we are reducing the abundance and variety of pollinators that the crops rely on!

 

     5. As a fellow student, what little things do you think we can do to help?

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• Buy organic. Sometimes the organic option is only slightly more expensive but it makes a huge difference in helping the pollinators and the environment. Organic farms don’t use any insecticides and they typically have a greater variety of plants for pollinators to feed on. Insects benefit from a varied diet just as much as we do! Organic farms can help provide a healthy and safe environment for pollinators to live and thrive in compared with conventional farms.

• Buy local. If there is a farmers market in your area try to support them when you can. Small scale, local farmers are typically less intensive than larger, conventional farms and have a less harmful effect on the environment. You also know exactly where your produce is coming from which is an added bonus!

 

• Help save their habitat. Garden centres and even some supermarkets have packets of wild flower seeds for sale for as little as €2/€3 which you can plant in the garden. Wild flowers help provide shelter and a healthy, varied diet for insect pollinators.

 

• Hydration is key. During the warmer summer months many pollinators can become dehydrated. Leaving a shallow bowl in the garden with some water and rocks for perching on will help keep insect pollinators well hydrated.

 

 

     6. Do you have any advice for Bee the Change on how we can spread the word?
 

Social media is quickly becoming the best way to reach people. Sharing stories on the Bee the Change Instagram page about what we can do to help the pollinators can reach a large group of people very efficiently. We can all do our bit to save the bees!

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