Our bees and wider farmland ecosystems have been seriously harmed by neonicotinoids, writes Dave Goulson. But that's just the start of the damage that modern farming is doing to wildlife in a countryside stripped of wild flowers and drenched by cocktails of pesticides. The problem is not just neonics, but the entire model of industrial agriculture.
… If modern farming can't sustain bees, how much longer can it sustain us? Dave … UK Toxics bumblebee-clover-cut.jpg Our bees and wider farmland ecosystems have been … doses of these chemicals, such as bees would be exposed to if they fed on a …
A temporary ban on neonicotinoid insecticides comes into effect across the EU this weekend. Dave Goulson argues that far deeper, structural changes are needed to create a countryside fit for bees and other wildlife.
… Neonicotinoid ban won't fix all bees' problems Dave Goulson | 30th November 2013 Comment Natural World Bees Insects Farming bee-on-flower.png A … are needed to create a countryside fit for bees and other wildlife. Neonicotinoids, or …
An ordinary arable field in Sussex is sprayed with pesticides 22 times over a single growing season. Dave Goulson wonders how the bees can survive this toxic onslaught - and exactly who benefits.
… 2014 Comment Food Farming Natural World Bees Pesticides crop-spray-england.png An … growing season. Dave Goulson wonders how the bees can survive this toxic onslaught - and … into the impact of pesticides on bees, we looked at twenty five fields …
First Jo Cartmell converted her uninspiring front lawn into a 'mini-meadow' full of wild flowers. Next, she waited the return of insect life - not for very long as it turned out. Barely a few years into the project, a remarkable profusion of bees, beetles, moths and butterflies were buzzing and humming around the blooms ...
… into the project, a remarkable profusion of bees, beetles, moths and butterflies were … bee mimics, trying to pass themselves off as bees with their furry, bee-like bodies. My … ground-nesting bee and wasp nests. One of the bees is the ground-nesting Ashy Mining Bee …
Decades of regular mowing left my front lawn looking bare and sterile, writes Jo Cartmell. But in fact, the exhausted, infertile soil made it the perfect place for a host of wild flowers to take up residence - some from planted seed, others blown-in, or from long buried seed lying dormant in the soil. And after that, the butterflies ...
… thought of the butterflies and wild bees that depended upon them. They were woven … chirring away and the contented buzz of bees collecting pollen and nectar - the sound … their son had learnt all about the plight of bees at his school and wanted to transform …
As industrial agriculture continues to erode our wildlife, Dave Goulson challenges the methods and objectives of ever-increasing food production. We need to move towards sustainable, evidence-based farming systems that produce healthy food, rather than allowing the agrochemical industry to reshape our farming, countryside and nutrition to its quest for profit.
… with the sound of skylarks singing, bumblebees buzzing amongst the hedgerows, and … by Professor Dave Goulson and was entitled 'Bees, Pesticides and Politics: the impact of neonicotinoids on UK bumblebees'. A recent study by Inger et al estimates …
When Oxeye daises looked like taking over her mini-meadow, Jo Cartmell was tempted to intervene. But instead, she held back and let nature take its course. Now, a few seasons later, the floral diversity has only increased, taking in some unexpected but welcome arrivals - along with their insect companions, all making their home on what used to be an unloved patch of lawn.
… of Ribwort Plantain spread throughout. Bumble bees and solitary bees are now constantly visiting to drink …