Study Reveals Link Between Fertiliser Use and Decline of Pollinators

A recent study conducted at the Park Grass Experiment, the world’s longest-running ecological study established in 1856, has highlighted alarming consequences of excessive fertiliser use on pollinator populations. The research found that the application of nitrogen fertilisers in agricultural grasslands has led to a dramatic decrease in both flower counts and pollinating insects, such as bees.

The two-year study published in the journal npj Biodiversity shows that moderate use of nitrogen fertilisers can reduce flower numbers by five times and halve bee populations. This decline is significant because pollinators are essential for agricultural productivity and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Lead researcher Dr. Nicholas Balfour noted, "As you increase fertilisers, pollinator numbers decrease – that's the direct link that to our knowledge has never been shown before." The study indicates that fertilisers create conditions favoring fast-growing grasses, which overshadow slower-growing plants and flowers, resulting in reduced biodiversity.

Interestingly, the population of bees increased over nine times in plots without chemical fertilisers, suggesting that nitrogen-fixing fertilisers are particularly harmful. Dr. Balfour advocates for reduced fertiliser use, stating, "While reduced yields aren't typically thought of as a good thing, reducing grassland production intensity has the potential to realise many of the benefits of a multifunctional landscape."

With nearly a quarter of the Earth dedicated to agricultural grassland supporting over 800 million people, the findings underscore a growing need for sustainable agricultural practices to protect not only pollinators but also broader ecological stability.