Buzzing in the City: The Rise of Urban Beekeeping and Its Ecological Impact
Rabeena I *
Department of Agriculture, Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar, India.
Subash Chandra Bose A
Thangapazham Agriculture College, Vasudevanallur, Tenkasi, India.
Akash A *
Department of Agriculture, Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar, India.
Nandhakumar G
Department of Agriculture, Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar, India.
Deborah Mercy D
Department of Agriculture, Kalasalingam School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Urban beekeeping has gained significant attention in recent years as a sustainable response to declining bee biodiversity caused by rapid urbanization and land use changes. Despite challenges such as climate extremes, pesticide use, diseases, and limited floral resources, urban environments have emerged as potential hotspots for pollinators. Beekeeping contributes to food security, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and pollination—key elements of sustainable development. However, successful urban beekeeping demands a sound understanding of bee biology, human behaviour, and ecological dynamics, especially in densely populated settings. This article explores the potential, challenges, and opportunities of urban beekeeping, highlighting its role in pollination, sustainable urban agriculture, biodiversity enhancement, and income generation for urban communities. Furthermore, urban green landscapes with high floral diversity and continuous bloom periods offer substantial support for urban pollinators. Urban beekeeping, when responsibly practiced, can serve as a model for ecological citizenship and nature-connected living in modern cities.
Keywords: Urban beekeeping, pollinator biodiversity, sustainable development, ecological citizenship, socioecological systems