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Pollinators are vital to the functioning of the entire ecosystem. Their importance for plant reproduction, crop formation and also human food production is irreplaceable. However, pollinator populations have collapsed in many places due to, among other things, the loss of habitats.

Creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly habitats is a key measure to safeguard biodiversity and the functioning of the entire ecosystem. On campus, this has been taken into account by providing nesting sites for wild pollinators, for example, through silvicultural measures that leave standing stumps and fallen trees in the terrain, as well as rotten wood of different ages and varying tree species. In addition, a wide variety of plants supports the characteristics of different pollinators (for example, depending on tongue length). The variety uses both pioneer species and slower-developing plants, and species that flower at different times. In addition, for example, the timing and frequency of mowing meadow areas is regulated so that flowering plants have enough time to produce seeds and provide food.

The results can be used to make concrete proposals, for example, about what plants should be planted in the area and otherwise help guide measures in a direction that better takes into account the needs of pollinators. In addition to research, the pollinators contribute to the field by pollinating plants in meadows, for example, which means they produce better seeds and the meadows remain vibrant with less effort.

After the summer, the residents of the campus beehive tower will move on to other nesting sites in the surrounding area and enrich the local pollinator population. This is why it is important that, for example, decaying trees and other nesting sites are left in the campus nature.

This project is a collaboration between the City of Espoo, Senate Properties, and the HumbleBee Housing Project - because bees, after all, don’t care about property lines.