Rahimi and Jung from Andong National University have uncovered a promising link between urban green spaces and pollinator abundance. Their research, spanning 10 South Korean cities, suggests that interconnected forest patches could be key to successful urban farming.

The researchers used innovative methods to map out pollinator-friendly zones in cities. They created habitat suitability maps for 243 pollinating insect species, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. These maps were then compared with clusters of urban green spaces identified using graph theory.

Remarkably, areas with highly connected green spaces consistently showed higher pollinator populations across all studied cities. This finding held true regardless of the city’s specific climate, highlighting the crucial role of green space connectivity in supporting urban biodiversity.

The study builds on previous research showing that urban gardens near forests tend to have more bees. It also aligns with the idea that pollinators prefer to forage close to their nesting sites, typically within 1-2 km for most bee species.

The research demonstrated the efficacy of graph theory, which considers factors like the number of patches, their connectivity, and the foraging range of pollinating insects, in effectively distinguishing and segregating such areas. This discovery holds significant promise for managing urban gardens and improving pollination services.

Rahimi E, Jung C. Identifying pollinator‐friendly sites within urban green spaces for sustainable urban agriculture. J Sustain Agric Environ. 2024;3:e12109. https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.12109