Conservationists are now encouraging city dwellers to help by planting bee-friendly flowers like lavender, sunflowers, and marigolds on balconies and windowsills. Some cities have also started "bee highways"—corridors of flowering plants that connect green spaces across the city. These efforts not only help bees but also increase biodiversity and make cities more beautiful.
Surprisingly, cities can offer bees several advantages. First, cities often have a longer growing season. In the countryside, large farms may grow only one or two types of plants for a short period. After the harvest, there may be very few flowers left. In contrast, cities have many small gardens, parks, and tree-lined streets with different kinds of plants that bloom at different times of the year. This provides bees with a steady supply of nectar and pollen from spring through late autumn. toefl junior reading comprehension practice test pdf
Second, urban environments generally use fewer pesticides than farmland. Farmers often spray chemicals to protect their crops from insects. These chemicals can be deadly to bees. In cities, however, the use of such chemicals is more restricted, especially in public parks and community gardens. As a result, urban bees face fewer direct threats from pesticides. Conservationists are now encouraging city dwellers to help
Scientists have discovered that cities are becoming important refuges for certain bee species that are declining in rural areas. For example, the common blue-banded bee, once rarely seen near farms, is now frequently spotted in city gardens in Australia. Similarly, in London, the number of bee species found in urban gardens is often higher than in nearby farmlands. Surprisingly, cities can offer bees several advantages