Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants
Abstract Native wild flowering plants provide important season‐round nectar and pollen resources for flower‐visiting insects, but many are unappreciated or even disliked by members of the public; for example ivy (Hedera spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.)...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-08-01
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| Series: | People and Nature |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10475 |
| _version_ | 1827878218661625856 |
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| author | Veronica R. Wignall Nicholas J. Balfour Sam Gandy Francis L. W. Ratnieks |
| author_facet | Veronica R. Wignall Nicholas J. Balfour Sam Gandy Francis L. W. Ratnieks |
| author_sort | Veronica R. Wignall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Native wild flowering plants provide important season‐round nectar and pollen resources for flower‐visiting insects, but many are unappreciated or even disliked by members of the public; for example ivy (Hedera spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). This antipathy has received little research attention despite a pressing need for a societal shift towards greater awareness of such plants and recognition of their ecological value. Engendering greater awareness and appreciation of common wild‐growing plants could greatly improve floral resource availability for flower‐visiting insects, enhance biodiversity and simultaneously benefit human physical and mental well‐being. However, there are multiple challenges to changing public attitudes. Knowledge of common wild flowering plants among members of the public is limited and this phenomenon is symptomatic of a diminishing human connection to nature. While many species of wild flowering plants may be overlooked due to a lack of awareness or knowledge, it is evident that some ‘weeds’ are actively unpopular. Reframing societal perceptions towards ecological value could be achieved in several ways including through formal education, messaging by the media, businesses and environmental organisations, and by encouraging public participation in urban land management. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:48:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-503b826a5b604c70bebecb559b83e240 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2575-8314 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:48:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | People and Nature |
| spelling | doaj.art-503b826a5b604c70bebecb559b83e2402023-08-03T10:26:58ZengWileyPeople and Nature2575-83142023-08-01541072108110.1002/pan3.10475Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plantsVeronica R. Wignall0Nicholas J. Balfour1Sam Gandy2Francis L. W. Ratnieks3Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects, School of Life Sciences University of Sussex Brighton UKLaboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects, School of Life Sciences University of Sussex Brighton UKEcosulis Ltd London UKLaboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects, School of Life Sciences University of Sussex Brighton UKAbstract Native wild flowering plants provide important season‐round nectar and pollen resources for flower‐visiting insects, but many are unappreciated or even disliked by members of the public; for example ivy (Hedera spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). This antipathy has received little research attention despite a pressing need for a societal shift towards greater awareness of such plants and recognition of their ecological value. Engendering greater awareness and appreciation of common wild‐growing plants could greatly improve floral resource availability for flower‐visiting insects, enhance biodiversity and simultaneously benefit human physical and mental well‐being. However, there are multiple challenges to changing public attitudes. Knowledge of common wild flowering plants among members of the public is limited and this phenomenon is symptomatic of a diminishing human connection to nature. While many species of wild flowering plants may be overlooked due to a lack of awareness or knowledge, it is evident that some ‘weeds’ are actively unpopular. Reframing societal perceptions towards ecological value could be achieved in several ways including through formal education, messaging by the media, businesses and environmental organisations, and by encouraging public participation in urban land management. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10475brambleconservationdandelionivylandscape managementpollinators |
| spellingShingle | Veronica R. Wignall Nicholas J. Balfour Sam Gandy Francis L. W. Ratnieks Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants People and Nature bramble conservation dandelion ivy landscape management pollinators |
| title | Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| title_full | Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| title_fullStr | Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| title_short | Food for flower‐visiting insects: Appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| title_sort | food for flower visiting insects appreciating common native wild flowering plants |
| topic | bramble conservation dandelion ivy landscape management pollinators |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10475 |
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