Impacts of multiple pollutants on pollinator activity in road verges

To tackle pollinator declines, there is a major need to increase the quantity of flower-rich habitats. Road verges offer one such opportunity but are exposed diverse forms pollution from roads and road traffic. We carried out broad initial assessment establish if how affects quality as foraging environments. assessed spatial distribution pollution, flowers pollinators in verges, then used field experiments simulate measure impacts four ubiquitous little studied (noise, turbulence, dust metals) on densities behaviour. found that were noise, metal which decreased with distance edge but, exception extended more than 8 m into verges. Pollinator lower closer edge—particularly within first 2 (55% at 7–9 m)—where greatest. This was despite similar density species richness flowers. Simulated turbulence deterred by causing intermittent disturbance (reducing visit duration up 54%), some taxa preferentially avoided concentrations metals frequently (resulting 75% fewer visits), while noise had no apparent effect. Synthesis applications. Pollinators many we roadside-realistic levels Although findings suggest largely suitable for conservation, management enhancements should prioritise areas edge, along relatively traffic densities.