Abstract

Insect biodiversity is being lost at a staggering rate. One of the largest contributors of global insects declines is urban development and expansion (Maxwell et al., 2020). This is because natural and semi-natural landscapes are converted into areas dominated by built features and impervious ground cover, leading to habitat loss and degradation and ultimately, insect and pollinator extinction or replacement (McKinney, 2006). Urban agricultural sites are a growing component of cities to improve food security and reintroduce ‘green spaces’ that could potentially revitalise dull city centres that are otherwise depauperate in vegetation and biodiversity. However, it is still unclear how urban agriculture contributes to biodiversity and whether it beneficially impacts pollinator communities.