Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Pollinator populations across the globe are rapidly declining. One reason for this is habitat loss. To mitigate this effect, road verges could serve as new habitats, similar to the species-rich semi-natural grasslands that are among the most rapidly declining habitats. I examined road verges of streets with three different traffic densities for the number and diversity of butterflies and bees, and mortality from direct collisions with cars. The results showed a negative effect of traffic on the number of pollinator species and individuals in road verges, and a lower mortality rate per car the higher the traffic density was. These results were independent of the number of flowers in road verges. Either road verges along busy roads act as an ecological trap, attracting pollinators to these habitats even though the risk of mortality is higher than reproductive success, or they actively avoid these habitats. In either case, traffic appears to be an important factor determining the number and diversity of pollinators in road verges.