美國俄亥俄州的一項研究發現，菊苣、紅菽草等城市的野花可能會對蜜蜂等傳粉昆蟲帶來負面影響。許多城市野花生長在曾開發的土地上，這些土地上的土壤大多含鉛、砷和鎘等有害金屬。研究人員對這些野花的花蜜進行了檢測，發現所有收集的花蜜中都至少含有一種有毒金屬，其中最常見的是鉛。花蜜中的金屬可能會損害蜜蜂等昆蟲的學習及記憶力，並影響牠們的健康。這項研究希望提高對土壤健康重要性的意識，並鼓勵在種植野花之前進行土壤測試及清理。
A study in Ohio discovered urban wildflowers like chicory and wild carrot might bring harms to pollinators like bees. Many urban wildflowers growing on previously developed land, and soil on these land have been exposed to many harmful metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium. Researchers tested nectar from these wildflowers and discovered at least one toxic metal in all collected nectar, with lead being the most common one. Metal in nectar could affect health of insect like bees by damaging their learning ability and memory. This study wants to raise awareness of the importance of soil health, and encourage soil testing and cleanup before planting wildflowers.
