Ecological reliance, biodiversity and pollination potentials in Bangalore urban gardens

Tc Puspha,Ms Reddy

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2019.9.1.0153

Abstract

Urban agriculture is an ancient concept that is gaining momentum in the tier II metro cities in connection with urban renewal projects and efforts to mediate urban food deserts. These agriculture efforts represent a potential habitat for pollinator communities within the urban landscape. Pollinator communities are threatened by urban landscape transformation, and bee species, in particular, are in a state of global decline due to various stressors. Urban agriculture has the potential to sustain both human and ecological communities, and the pollinators that visit gardens may provide pollination to plant species in the surrounding area. We investigated the influence of urban land use on pollinator populations in Bangalore to (i) quantify pollinators visiting urban gardens and (ii) compare pollinator frequency and occurrences among urban gardens, vacant lots (abandoned with no management) and manicured lawns. Three sites were chosen around the Bangalore, an urban garden, a lawn, and a vacant lot. Phytometers were used to monitor the frequency of pollination within the sites. We discovered that the amount of pollinator frequency increased with the flora diversity of the lots. With the manicured lawn having the fewest pollinator visits and the managed urban garden having the most pollinator visit. We saw a relationship between human landscaping and the pollinator communities. From this data we have a better understanding of the effect of the urban landscape on pollinators that will lead to a better use of vacant lots and urban spaces within the city of Bangalore.

Highlights

Urban development has increased rapidly since the onset of the industrial and agricultural revolutions [1] Rapid urbanization is a global phenomenon in which various habitats are transformed for human use
[3] For instance, in the early 1900s 10% of the human population lived in urban areas and the UN predicts that by 2060, 66% of the human population will reside within urban areas
Urbanization is known to have substantial negative effects on species diversity and carbon pools at a global scale [4]. Transforming these urban areas to increase their habitability for humans and to enhance ecological vitality has become a primary objective for urban planning and restoration ecology

Summary

Introduction

Urban development has increased rapidly since the onset of the industrial and agricultural revolutions [1] Rapid urbanization is a global phenomenon in which various habitats are transformed for human use. By comparing our three sites- standard (managed lawn), an abandoned lot, and a lot that had been transformed into an urban garden site, we will have a better understanding of pollinator and urban landscapes relationship The objectives of this investigations were to test the hypothesis that (i) the ecological makeup of the surrounding environment would have an effect on the frequency and types of pollinators that visit and (ii) that a positive correlation exists between pollinator frequency and the level of management of the vacant spaces with higher diversity garden sites exceeding both managed lawn and a residential layout parks

Site Selection

Sampling

Phytometers

Results and discussion

Conclusion

Disclosure of conflict of interest