A long-term study shows that common fertilizers drastically cut flower numbers and pollinator populations — especially bees — by favoring fast-growing grasses that crowd out flowers.
Phoebe Weston reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Fertilizers like nitrogen reduce flowers by 80% and pollinators by 50%, according to research on UK grasslands dating back to 1856.
- Bees are hit hardest, with plots free of chemicals hosting nine times more bees than those treated with high fertilizer levels.
- The study reveals a trade-off between boosting yields and protecting biodiversity and urges financial incentives for eco-friendly farming.
Key quote:
“As you increase fertilizers, pollinator numbers decrease – that’s the direct link that to our knowledge has never been shown before.”
— Dr. Nicholas Balfour, lead researcher, University of Sussex
Why this matters:
Pollinators are essential for food production and ecosystem health, yet fertilizers drive their decline by reducing habitat quality. With wildflower meadows nearly gone in the UK and global pollinator populations shrinking, rethinking land management is critical for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
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