Why revival of wetlands could be the bees’ knees

BRINGING back areas such as wetlands could be the best way of saving UK bumblebees, a study has found.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Edinburgh University used data from BeeWalk, in which volunteers carry out monthly monitoring. They found wetlands and moorland were essential for species such as the moss and the brown-banded carder bee. Crop areas helped rare species such as the large garden bumblebee.

Queens and males were linked with scrub, bracken and herbs, which may be good for nesting. Worker bees were found in hedges and lanes, suggesting these are good for providing food.

One third of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species are endangered. Richard Comont, of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said the biggest threats were ‘loss and degradation of nesting and feeding habitat’. Study leader Dr Penelope Whitehorn said: ‘As one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world it’s really important we better protect native species.’

The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.