… because they are an integral component of our ecosystem, as they provide basic ecosystem services. These include pollination of plants, they serve as a food source for other animal groups, they are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter, control harmful organisms, water purification and are responsible for maintaining soil fertility. If this declines, we lose an important component in the maintenance of ecosystems and not only the environment is negatively affected, but also we humans. Pollination is an essential part of maintaining wild plants and ensuring the yield and quality of many of our crops. A decline in pollination would result in a significant loss of biodiversity and lead to major economic risks.
Mankind cannot survive without insects …
Due to the influence of climate change, plant and animal species must adapt, otherwise, they will disappear…
When the climate changes, they have to migrate or acclimatize, otherwise, they die out. The rise in temperatures means the shift of vegetation zones. However, the adaptability of certain species is limited because the climate is changing faster than before. In addition, for an ecosystem to adapt, a high level of biodiversity is a prerequisite. Climate change affects individual species, as well as communities and habitats, and thus has a direct influence on the development and behavior of species. Shifts in climate mean that species either have to migrate or become active at different times, which can create turmoil in the natural processes of nature. Climate change, as mentioned above, affects not only plants and animal species but also their coexistence in communities, such as predator-prey relationships, pollinator symbioses or competition, bees, butterflies, etc. Due to global warming, for example, plants begin to flower earlier, but pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc.) are not adapted to this rhythm. If certain insects develop too early in the spring, migratory birds experience a shortage of food, which can lead to them arriving too late in the country.
Value of diversity - biodiversity in the living environment
A city without vegetation would be a dead city. Urban vegetation is essential for our well-being because it shapes urban spaces, enables recreational and leisure activities, and regulates the urban climate.
In 2001, an analysis of the City of Zurich's green waste material flows was published, where they came up with 127 000 tonnes of green waste. This green waste in the form of wood cuttings, leaves, cuttings from meadows and lawns as well as weeds. Of this amount, 60 000 tonnes were decomposed by animals. Leaves and lawn clippings are crushed and pre-digested by earthworms for mites, nematodes and other animals and finally transformed into mineral substances by bacteria and fungi. 14,000 tonnes of it are "disposed of" in the immediate environment and recycled in the same way by animals and organisms.
Our pollinators are also important here; they are responsible for sustainable agriculture and horticulture and for pollinating ornamental plants. Wild bees have a great importance in cities, because they are specialists for certain plant species, which can grow well in certain parts of the cities and thus have a positive influence on diversity in the city.
DIVID is a modular, adaptive system which return of wild bees.
The aim is to create a better awareness of sustainability by gradually introducing the user gently to the topic. Knowledge should be deepened to avoid fatal half-knowledge, as this can negatively influence customer loyalty. The choice of materials and processing, and the introduction of a repairable solutions, should thus extend the lifetime of the product and the end of the cycle to favor the the recyclable materials at the end of the cycle, to be as sustainable as possible.
Layout and Package
In addition to the product requirements, some decisions were made during the research and design phase regarding the basic shape of the system. Most insect hotels on the market are only designed in one direction, but my research revealed that there are species of wild bees that prefer to nest in sun-shade sides. Therefore, I set out to find the optimal shape to appeal to a variety of different wild bee species. Furthermore, there are basic rules to follow when positioning such a system. The height of 80 cm from the ground must be given in order to protect against enemies. Weather resistance is another feature that needs to be taken into account.
Connecting element
The base station provides the basic dimension and serves as a connecting element for legs and upper construction. The vertical struts are connected to it in order to achieve an optimal distribution of the centre of gravity. The individual levels are connected to the vertical struts by means of a a groove and are therefore adjustable in height. adjustable. The roof can be positioned on the upper side of the the roof can be positioned to protect the whole to protect the whole from rain.
DIVID is a system that meets the new requirements and challenges posed by the loss of species. Investigations within the framework of this Master's thesis have shown that, concerning the environmental impact, a wide range of nesting opportunities is necessary to achieve a positive effect. The orientation of the DIVID looks in three directions, which means that a large arc is served and many species of wild animals can be found in a nesting space for many species of wild bees in a compact space. Due to the modularity, the adaptability is left to the customer and he can put together his optimal system according to his financial means and possibilities.
The Constrution
No tools other than the supplied Allen key are needed for assembly. The sequence of pictures, which can also be found in the app, shows the assembly of the DIVID. In the package, everything is subdivided into assembly packages, so that there are no difficulties for the customer. The assembly can be carried out either with the supplied assembly instructions, but instructions are also transmitted via the APP or an assembly video. The enclosed instructions provide information on materials, such as origin and load-bearing capacity, as well as on assembly.
The process should generate as little waste as necessary, be local and fair, and be communicated transparently with the customer.
The cycle applies to all elements of the system. The whole process starts with the sourcing of materials, which should be fair trade, high quality, and as local as possible. The good thing about the system is that all parts are easily separable, and can therefore be easily returned to the cycle.
After sourcing, the raw materials simple processes are used for production. The Production is locally per country to keep delivery costs low. For production, the use of renewable energy is essential to keep the product's footprint as small as possible.