A major study has confirmed what many conservationists feared—fertilisers slash pollinators at an alarming rate. Scientists at the University of Sussex and Rothamsted Research found that high fertiliser use reduces flower numbers by five times and cuts pollinators in half. Bees, the hardest-hit group, are nine times more abundant in areas free from chemicals.
The 150-year study is the longest of its kind, underscoring the significance of its findings. Researchers say fertilisers encourage fast-growing grasses that overpower wildflowers, leaving pollinators with fewer feeding options. With the UK already losing 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the problem is growing worse.
High Fertiliser Use Wiping Out Wildflowers
Fertilisers are designed to boost crop yields, but they come at a cost. When nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus enter grassland, they create conditions where fast-growing grasses thrive. These dominant species push out delicate wildflowers, reducing floral diversity and leaving less food for pollinators.
The study, conducted on Rothamsted’s Park Grass since 1856, shows that even moderate fertiliser use has damaging effects. UK farmers typically apply 100kg of fertiliser per hectare. The study found that even at this level, pollinator numbers dropped by 42%, and flower numbers fell by five times.
Fertiliser-free plots, however, maintained high levels of wildflowers and pollinators. The results suggest that nitrogen-based fertilisers are the biggest problem. Fields treated with a fertiliser mix excluding nitrogen saw fewer losses in flower and insect diversity.
Bees at Risk
Pollinators play a vital role in food production, yet their numbers are declining rapidly. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies are essential for pollination, but their populations are plummeting due to habitat loss and fertiliser overuse.
Farmers now face a difficult choice: boosting yields or protecting biodiversity. Lower fertiliser use means more wildflowers and pollinators but less grassland productivity. Experts say financial incentives could encourage biodiversity-friendly farming.
With pollinator decline threatening food security, researchers urge policymakers to act. The study proves that chemical-heavy farming is unsustainable. If action is not taken promptly, the UK could face a biodiversity crisis.
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