Researchers find that air pollution makes it harder for bees, moths and other pollinators to smell flowers. A study led by the University of Reading reviews evidence from 22 experimental investigations examining how ozone and nitrogen oxides (NOx) affect pollinators’ scent-based foraging. The analysis concludes that these pollutants interfere with the chemical signals flowers emit, including by breaking down or altering the fragrances used by insects to locate food.
Across the sources, the impact is described as substantial. One outlet reports that pollution can scramble floral scents and reduce pollinators’ ability to find flowers by nearly half. While the research focuses on specific pollutants—ozone and NOx—the findings point to a general mechanism: altered air chemistry reduces the clarity of airborne scent cues, which in turn affects foraging success.
The reporting frames the work as an evidence synthesis of laboratory and experimental findings, helping clarify how common urban and industrial air pollutants can hinder plant–pollinator interactions by disrupting olfactory communication.
