Digital Transformation for the Protection of Bees

Research · 2021 · Cologne University of Applied Sciences

As part of this project, a digital solution was developed with the aim of actively supporting bee protection and thereby making an important contribution to preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems. The starting point of the project was the increasing threat to bee populations caused by the loss of habitats, insufficient food sources, the use of pesticides, and the spread of bee diseases. Since bees play a crucial role in pollinating numerous plants and therefore in securing a large portion of our food production, the protection of bees was identified as a highly relevant field of action within environmental conservation. The overall objective was to develop a sustainable strategy that promotes both bee protection and biodiversity conservation without endangering the sustainable use of natural resources such as agriculture or raw material production. Therefore, the first step was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing challenges. It became clear that one of the biggest problems was the lack of habitats and food resources for bees. In addition, the use of pesticides and the lack of public awareness regarding bee-friendly behavior—such as rinsing honey jars before disposal to prevent the spread of diseases like American foulbrood—further worsen the situation. Based on this analysis, specific measures were identified to support bee populations. These included planting bee-friendly flowers and plants, creating nesting opportunities for wild bees, reducing or avoiding the use of pesticides, and raising public awareness about bee-friendly behavior in everyday life. In order to make these measures accessible to a wider audience and encourage active participation, the development of a web-based application was chosen as the digital solution. The application is designed for everyone who wants to contribute to bee protection. Users are given the opportunity to provide their green spaces—such as balconies, gardens, or other available outdoor areas—through a digital form. Experts from BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) can then assess these spaces and recommend or plant bee-friendly vegetation. This creates a direct connection between environmentally conscious citizens and professional support from conservation experts. In addition, the application offers extensive information for users who want to take independent action. Topics such as the bee calendar, bee-friendly plants, colony rejuvenation, swarming season, late summer care, reproduction, and honey harvesting are presented in a clear and interactive way. This allows users to quickly access relevant information and practical guidance on how to create food sources and habitats for bees themselves. The goal was not only to provide information but also to create an interactive and motivating user experience that encourages long-term engagement. The implementation of the project was divided into three consecutive phases. Phase I – Vision and Concept focused on developing a solid project vision. The foundation was based on the transformation fields of digitalization, with a strong focus on nature conservation as well as land and water management. It was decided to specifically focus on saving bees because of their key role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological stability. Using Design Sprint methods and Business Innovation approaches, a structured solution concept was developed. The objective of this phase was to create a clear bridge between the vision and future technical development. Motivation, problem definition, application domain analysis, and project goals were described in detail. In addition, initial prototypes were created, user requirements were defined, and user tests were prepared to establish a strong foundation for the next phase. Phase II – Development focused on implementing the previously developed vision and concept. The web-based application was built to digitally address the identified challenges related to bee protection. Special attention was given to usability and accessibility to ensure that as many people as possible could easily engage with the topic of environmental conservation. The application was designed to make both information access and active participation through providing green spaces simple and intuitive. The goal of this phase was to deliver a functional digital solution that creates real value for bee protection. Phase III – Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Utilization focused on evaluating the developed application in depth. The objective was to systematically assess effectiveness, usability, and potential areas for improvement. Various evaluation methods were used, including expert reviews, user interviews, questionnaires, heuristic evaluations, and the Think Aloud method. First, the methodological approach was explained and the goals of the evaluation phase were adjusted where necessary. Afterwards, the collected data was analyzed and interpreted in relation to the overall project objectives. Based on these findings, concrete optimization proposals were developed and presented in the form of a visual prototype. Individual improvements were explained in detail and linked directly to the project goals. In summary, the project resulted in the creation of a digital platform that actively involves people in bee protection, provides accessible knowledge, and supports sustainable actions to promote biodiversity. By combining ecological goals, user-centered design, and digital innovation, a solution was created that delivers both social value and a practical contribution to environmental conservation.