It turns out that Ireland’s newest woodlands are telling an important story, one carried on the wings of bees and hoverflies. A new study from Trinity College Dublin shows that the earliest years of woodland creation spark noticeable shifts in local insect communities, offering a glimpse into how nature responds when farmland begins its long journey back to forest.

Led by Kate Harrington, with Fraser J. G. Mitchell and Jane C. Stout, the research followed pollinators through young, thicket‑stage and maturing woodland sites across the east and midlands of Ireland. The work highlights that while species numbers don’t dramatically rise or fall at first glance, the types of pollinators present and the way they use these emerging habitats change in meaningful ways.

One of the clearest patterns to emerge was the decline of open‑habitat hoverflies as canopies begin to close. Meanwhile, bees, particularly those that rely heavily on local flowers, proved to be highly responsive to what was happening on the ground. Early‑stage woodlands, buzzing with bramble and other flowers, provided a brief but valuable window of rich forage for many species before shade began to settle in.

The findings also point to the essential role of woodland edges, where sunlight and floral resources remain abundant. These boundary zones supported far more activity than shaded interiors, underscoring the importance of thoughtful woodland design and management as tree plantings expand across Ireland.

For policymakers, landowners and conservation groups, the message is simple: pollinators can act as sensitive early indicators of ecological progress. Their responses reveal not just whether young woodlands are developing, but how they are doing so, and what might be needed to support richer biodiversity in years to come.

This research was funded as part of the Kinsella Challenge‑based E3 Multi‑disciplinary Project Awards, along with philanthropic support from Anke Heydenreich. The authors’ combined expertise, Kate Harrington in fieldwork and analysis, Fraser Mitchell in woodland ecology, and  Jane Stout in pollinator research, provided the foundation for a study that offers both practical guidance and fresh optimism for Ireland’s woodland restoration efforts.

Everyone at E3 congratulates Kate, Fraser, and Jane on this fantastic achievement. Your work is an inspiring example of what E3 stands for: Balanced Solutions for a Better World.

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