The Impact of Urban Beekeeping on Wild Pollinators.

The proliferation of urban beekeeping may be taking a toll on wild pollinators, according to a study by Montreal scientists. The number of honey bee colonies in the city rose from 238 in 2013 to nearly 3,000 by 2020, leading to a decline in the number of wild bee species. The scientists found that sites with the largest increase in honey bee populations had the fewest wild bee species, and that the small species of wild bees were the hardest hit. The scientists suggest that planting pollinator gardens may be a better way to increase urban biodiversity than adding more urban hives.