Confronting the Modern Gordian Knot of Urban Beekeeping

Monika Egerer; Ingo Kowarik

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2020.07.012

Confronting the Modern Gordian Knot of Urban Beekeeping

Trends Ecol Evol. 2020 Nov;35(11):956-959. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.07.012. Epub 2020 Aug 14.

Authors

Monika Egerer¹, Ingo Kowarik²

Affiliations

¹ Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Ecology, Chair of Ecosystem Sciences/Plant Ecology, Rothenburgstr. 12, 12165 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: monika.egerer@tu-berlin.de.
² Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Ecology, Chair of Ecosystem Sciences/Plant Ecology, Rothenburgstr. 12, 12165 Berlin, Germany.

PMID: 32807501
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.07.012

Abstract

With insect population declines, cities are important habitats for wild pollinators. Urban beekeeping is an increasingly popular activity, yet honeybees present important risks to wild insect pollinators in cities. We argue for new, scientifically evidenced urban pollinator strategies to simultaneously enhance the benefits of urban beekeeping while protecting wild pollinators.

Keywords: conservation; honeybees; social-ecological; urban; wild pollinators.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Beekeeping*
Bees
Cities
Ecosystem
Insecta
Pollination*