In pollinator-friendly urban design, planting native flowering species can

• A. Harm ecosystem balance.
• B. Support pollinator populations and biodiversity.
• C. Have no real ecological effect.
• D. Increase maintenance costs with no benefit.

Answer: (B)

Using native flowering plants in pollinator-friendly urban design supports pollinator populations and biodiversity. Native plants have evolved together with local pollinators, providing the right nectar, pollen, and bloom timing that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators rely on. This creates dependable food sources across seasons, helping pollinator communities flourish and boosting the variety of species in the urban ecosystem. A richer pollinator network in turn supports the reproduction of many plants, including urban trees and garden crops, enhancing overall ecological resilience. Plus, once established, native plantings often require less water and fewer inputs, reducing maintenance over time. In contrast, non-native ornamentals may not provide the same resources for local pollinators and can miss critical bloom windows, so they don’t offer the same ecological benefits.