The Ecostack Innovations team surveyed diverse locations across Malta and Gozo, spanning eight distinct habitat types, during the spring and autumn of 2023 and 2024. It was found that honeybees were drawn to locally abundant plants like carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), tree germander (Teucrium fruticans), and the Mediterranean thistle (Galactites tomentosa), while also frequenting the invasive alien species known as the Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae). Wild bees, meanwhile, appear to favour a variety of common flower species such as the crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria) and perennial wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), with some also regularly interacting with the Bermuda buttercup and the non-native ornamental lantana (Lantana camara). 

By analysing a range of environmental variables including vegetation coverage, soil types, our team developed sophisticated models that predict the distribution of bees around the Maltese Islands. These revealed that the soil landscape type plays a pivotal role in shaping the distribution of both honeybees and wild bees, as different soils host distinct floral communities.  

This research not only sheds light on the delicate dynamics between pollinators and plants in Malta but also underscores the critical role of ecosystem conservation in maintaining ecological balance. The findings of the project aim to guide conservation efforts and inspire a deeper appreciation of the Malta’s natural heritage and make an important contribution to the EI Pollinators Observatory. 

For more information about the BeePoll project, please visit the project page here.  

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Join us in this transformative journey. Together, we can safeguard our pollinators while fostering a healthier, more sustainable future for all of Europe.

For more details about the EI Pollinators Observatory or to get involved, contact us.