Pollination: How to bringing the buzz back into our countryside, towns and cities
nature
is no longer a 'nice to have'; it is mandated in the
Nature Restoration Law
, which came into effect in 2024.
The law includes the need to tackle biodiversity loss across all of our land and sea systems, but one particular group of animals, the pollinators, is called out explicitly.
Ireland, as a member state of the EU, must improve pollinator diversity and reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030. We have just five years to reverse serious and ongoing declines in the tiny beasts that keep nature ticking over. One-third of our 99 wild bee species are at risk of extinction.
Pollination is one of the most fascinating, colourful and economically important interactions between plants and animals. The 'birds and the bees' elegantly aid reproduction of 90 per cent of plant species on Earth. Hundreds of pollinator-dependent crops provide us with healthy diets and not so healthy treats. Strawberries, apples and cocoa are all highly dependent on animals to move pollen around to stimulate the production of fruit. In addition to the crops, hundreds of thousands of wild plants are critically dependent on pollinators.
READ MORE
Pollinators are animals that visit flowers, usually attracted by the promise of sugar-rich nectar and protein-rich pollen. When the pollinator visits another flower, some of the pollen gets deposited on a sticky stigma within the flower. If the pollen is the right species, and even the right kind of individual, the pollen grain germinates and burrows its way to meet the ovule of the recipient, fusing to create an embryo, the seed of a new plant.
Worldwide, many different kinds of animals act as pollinators, including beetles, bees, butterflies, birds and bats. In Ireland, we lack the exotic hummingbirds and sugar gliders of the tropics and subtropics, but we have a diverse range of bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths that quietly go about their essential work servicing the flowers.
In 2015, Ireland led the world in developing the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, a blueprint for actions to help reverse the decline in pollinators. Ecologists Úna Fitzpatrick from the National Biodiversity Data Centre and Jane Stout from Trinity College Dublin recognised something needed to be done to stem the loss of insects from our landscapes, farms and wild places. They created a plan with more than 80 actions that individual people, communities, local authorities and businesses could put in place to help reverse pollinator declines.
Over the past 10 years, two All-Ireland Pollinator Plans have been produced and have become the go-to example of pollinator habitat and species restoration planning in Europe, inspiring pollinator plans in several other countries.
All local authorities in Ireland have signed up to the plan. Areas left wild and unmown for pollinators have become a common sight in parks, along roadsides and in gardens. Action for pollinators is well embedded in our communities, with the Tidy Towns competition having a special award for pollinator-friendly measures.
Over the years, we have learned to appreciate lawns studded with golden dandelions and muted lemon-yellow cowslips. 'Weeds' became 'pollinator friendly plants' and lawnmowers were parked up for months at a time. Wild orchids popped up on roadside verges outside suburban houses and bumble bees found new places to nest in wildlife-friendly gardens. Our aesthetic senses have been retrained to better appreciate the wild and messy.
Ireland has a 10-year head-start to the kind of action we need to restore pollinators, but it is clear that increased efforts are needed as pollinators continue to be threatened by pesticides, habitat destruction and climate change. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is due for renewal for 2026-2030 and this is the perfect time to increase ambition.
The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has grown from grass-roots involvement and people are being asked to contribute ideas for the next version of the plan. See the consultation page on the
All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
website to contribute your ideas to bring back the buzz into our countryside, towns and cities. Pollinators need bigger, better and more joined up areas in which to thrive.
Prof Yvonne Buckley is co-director of Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water, Trinity College Dublin, and board member of the National Biodiversity Data Centre
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's beekeepers 'very concerned' Asian hornet could 'wreak havoc' on bee population
Beekeepers are worried the arrival of the Asian hornet into Ireland could 'wreak havoc' with the ecosystem if the public does not remain vigilant. The discovery of the invasive insect in Cork this week sparked a biosecurity alert here. It is the second discovery ever of its kind in Ireland — the last sighting was in 2021. The Asian hornet, also known as a yellow-legged hornet, poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Ireland, as even a single nest can devastate honeybee populations. However, it does not pose a significant public health risk. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said it is working to establish how the insect got into the country, while traps have been placed close to where the insect was found on Tuesday. Collette O'Connell, a third-generation beekeeper from Waterford, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland a single nest could devastate honey bees. She described the insect as 'very beautiful' and much larger than our native wasps. 'It is dark black on its thorax and has a bright yellow face' she said. 'The segment on its abdomen is bright yellow — a mustard yellow. The bottom two thirds of its legs are again a bright yellow.' She said the insect looks to feed off honey bees and beekeepers identify them easily because when they fly in front of a hive, 'the legs are splayed and it's like it has a yellow halo around it — we call that hawking.' The NPWS was alerted when a member of the public saw the insect and recorded it on the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Since then, traps have been placed all over the area, and the Beekeeper's Association has contacted local beekeepers with hives in the area in Cork. 'We know the preferred food of Asian hornets are honey bees,' said Ms O'Connell. She said beekeepers were 'very concerned' about the arrival of the insect into Ireland 'because it is a carnivore, it is an apex predator — it will wreak havoc". 'We know from the [pollination preservation project] Atlantic-Positives research, it has wreaked havoc in Europe — they did a survey in 2020 of 400 beekeepers in France, Spain, and Portugal. They spent just under €800m to protect their bees, and it doesn't stop them.' The Asian hornet insect caught this week is now being examined and the public is being encouraged to be vigilant when travelling to Ireland on the ferry or in the ports. 'They are very good at piggybacking on human transport,' said Ms O'Connell. 'People coming back on ferries, ports, and workers, familiarise yourself with the insect, and if you suspect an Asian hornet, please take a photo." She also warned the public not to panic, as this could lead to 'good pollinators' being killed. Members of the public are being asked to make contact with if they believe they have seen an Asian hornet and to take photos and mark the location of the alleged sighting.
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
An Asian Hornet (the kind known for bullying bees) has been found and captured in Cork
AN ASIAN HORNET has been captured in Cork in what the government has said is a 'significant threat to biodiversity in Ireland'. Asian Hornets are a type of wasp indigenous to southeast Asia and an invasive species present in many European countries, though rarely seen in Ireland. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has confirmed a recent sighting and subsequent capture of an Asian Hornet in Cork. They pose a biodiversity threat because they have the capacity to significantly devastate honeybee populations by hunting them down and 'colonising' their hives. A member of the public reported the sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre's website . The report included a photograph and entomologists confirmed it showed an Asian Hornet. A survey team was deployed to the area for monitoring and surveying conducted. Initially, no evidence of a hornet nest or any other hornet activity was observed, but subsequent surveillance led to the trapping of an Asian Hornet yesterday. More monitoring is set to continue over the coming weeks to determine whether the case involves just the one individual hornet or if there is evidence of a larger population. The Department of Local Heritage has said the sighting has triggered a government-led response and a new taskforce. The Asian Hornet Management Group, chaired by the NPWS, will coordinate efforts to gather further information and monitor the situation over the coming weeks. Its membership includes the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the National Museum of Ireland. Advertisement Beekeeping associations have also been briefed and are 'playing their part' to watch out for any more evidence of Asian Hornets. This is only the second time a verified sighting of an Asian Hornet has been confirmed in Ireland. The first identification was of a single hornet in the Dublin area in 2021. 'Asian Hornets are a threat to our native pollinators and our biodiversity. We must take even a single sighting very seriously,' said Minister of State for Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan. 'NPWS responded quickly to this report, with a team of experts rapidly tasked to monitor and survey the area. One individual was captured and a co-ordinated response is now underway through a new cross government taskforce who will continue to monitor the situation,' O'Sullivan said. 'We are also very grateful for the support of beekeepers and their associations in this endeavour. 'This incident shows us that members of the public are our eyes on the ground. Early detection is key if we are to prevent the establishment of this invasive species. 'I urge everyone to be vigilant and inform themselves so that they can recognise and report any sightings of the Asian Hornet to help us contain this invasive species and protect our biodiversity.' Members of the public are being asked to watch out for any Asian Hornets and to report any suspected sightings through the National Biodiversity Data Centre's Alien Watch reporting portal . The advice to the public is that if someone suspects they have spotted an Asian Hornet, they should not attempt to disturb or capture the hornet. Although they not generally aggressive to humans, Asian Hornets may sting if provoked. Any photographs, location coordinates or samples (if safe to collect post-mortem) of Asian Hornets are highly valuable to the response team. Asian Hornets can sometimes be confused with native species such as the giant woodwasp, the dark giant horsefly, or the common wasp. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Groundbreaking ammonia sensor developed at UCC
Farmers may benefit from a newly-developed ammonia sensor as it improves real-time detection. Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) have developed the sensor to help advance real-time detection of ammonia pollution. The development of the sensor was the result of the EU-funded RADICAL project led by UCC. The technology hopes to transform environmental monitoring as we know it, removing the cost barriers to farmers and supporting the enhancement of sustainable farming practices. Efficient detection of ammonia is essential for reducing air and water pollution, safeguarding human health, promoting sustainable agriculture, and shaping climate and environmental policies. Practical alternative to current sensors The researchers at UCC have developed the sensor out of silicon nanowire, promising a less bulky and more practical alternative to the spectroscopic sensors currently used to measure ammonia levels. The new sensor is said to be sensitive and precise while also consuming minimal power, and can operate at room temperature, allowing for real-time air quality monitoring. The sensor is designed to be compatible with existing technologies and is cost-effective and simple to produce. Initially designed to detect free radicals in the air, the team realised after meeting with several air quality companies that sensors for gases such as nitrogen dioxide from traffic fumes and ammonia from industry and agriculture were high on the priority list. The new technology can quickly and reliably detect ammonia, even in small amounts, and provide a portable solution for use in diverse environments. Vaishali Vardhan, lead author of the paper, said: 'This new sensor is a powerful tool for both air quality monitoring and research. "It is low in cost, small, and suitable for large-scale deployment. What distinguishes our technology is the use of bare silicon nanowires — avoiding complex hybridisation techniques — which makes the sensor more affordable and scalable. "The integration of UV light further boosts its sensitivity, enabling efficient detection of ammonia at low concentrations.' With ammonia playing a major role in Irish agriculture, and also sourced from vehicle emissions, it has become a growing concern. Once in the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with acidic gases to form particulate matter (PM2.5), which is harmful to human health and can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Direct exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Excess ammonia in an environment causes water pollution, leading to algal blooms and eutrophication, which harm aquatic life. It also impacts air quality and climate. RADICAL project coordinator, Professor Justin Holmes, commented: 'This pioneering technology is set to revolutionise environmental monitoring in the agricultural sector. It will allow farmers to make more informed decisions, benefiting both their businesses and the environment as a whole.'
