Intro

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When discussing the issue of »bee decline«, what usually comes to mind? Is it solely the decrease in honey production, the shrinking bee population, the resulting impact on plant pollination, or the consequences for our agriculture?

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It is worth noting that the problem of bee decline has traditionally been attributed to just one bee species, the Western Honey Bee, which has garnered significant attention in media and television. However, this perception can be misleading, as this particular bee species is relatively less threatened due to the increased care provided by beekeepers. It is crucial to shed light on the multitude of bee species (20,300 in total) that have been unjustly underrepresented in societal discussions: the wild bee.

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Design challenge

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During the initial phase of generating ideas, there was great interest in studying the movement patterns of various swarms, including fish, birds, and insects. Shoaling behavior refers to the tendency of fish, birds, insects, and other animals to form aggregations. These aggregations typically consist of individuals from the same species, but mixed swarms of animals from different species and sizes can also occur.

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At the same time, comparisons were made with human behavior. Swarms can exhibit both orderliness and chaos, but they always operate with a system. In the case of humans, certain factors, such as route guidance systems or subway exits, can influence us to move in groups with the same direction. However, in places like Alexanderplatz, there is a more chaotic, criss-cross movement. Due to my personal interest in swarming and my motivation to learn more about bees and the decline of bee populations, I quickly decided to focus on visualizing data related to bees.

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Research

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During my initial exploration of bees, I quickly came across information that startled me and further piqued my interest. This information became the foundation for my entire project. The key message was: »We are focusing on the wrong bees.« Surprisingly, the population of honeybees (commonly referred to as »bees«) is actually increasing rapidly, making their extinction highly unlikely. However, out of the 20,300 bee species, only 10 are honey bees, while the rest are on the brink of extinction. These remaining 99.95% are the wild bees. This realization prompted an extensive research phase, as the subject of bees is intricate and interconnected with agriculture and consumption. This led me to the following learning:

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The continuous focus on honey bee cultivation as a solution to save the world may have the opposite effect. While honey bee populations are growing globally and are not at risk of extinction, 70% of wild bees, which are more efficient pollinators, are facing extinction. Moreover, our agricultural economy is becoming increasingly dependent on pollinators. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the impact of honey bees and wild bees on humanity.

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Design Process

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Initial thoughts I had were:
-  Track and analyze movement through video analysis.
-  Generate noise layers to influence design.
-  Use software like TouchDesigner for kinetic filming and analysis.
-  Utilize computer vision and CV library for block tracking and machine learning.
-  Create an exhibition format where people are tracked in real-time and influence the exhibition.
-  Control input and output for interactive control or reading.
-  Incorporate communication inspired by bees.

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After experimenting with programs like Touchdesigner and Unity, I ultimately chose Cinema 4D for visualization. Although I hadn't used it in a while, I found it essential for my project. To bring my concept to life, I needed to create a swarm visualization. During the process, I discovered Craig Reynolds' paper on »coordinated animal motion« and »boids«. The flocking model he described involved three simple control behaviors that dictate how a boid moves based on the positions and velocities of nearby flockmates. To simplify the creation of a flocking system, I utilized the C4D plug-in called »X-Particles« by Insydium. With X-Particles, I was able to visualize swarms, and all that remained was to develop behaviors for both bee species.

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Data and Visualization

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The self-created dataset presents the flowering period of our local apple trees in 2022, along with a few days before and after. It includes the average temperature, hours of sunshine, days of rain, and the presence of honey bees or mason bees. This dataset demonstrates the correlation between weather conditions and bee flight behavior. However, it does not provide information on the impact of pollination. Additionally, I have analyzed the occurrences within specific time frames.

The final visualization shows a comparison of the honey bees and the mason bees and their pollination activity during that stated time.

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The visualization shows three swarms of honey bees, each consisting of 2000 bees. In total, there are 6000 particles representing all the honey bees. This number is based on the pollination performance of honey bees for 1 ha of apple trees, which is achieved by 3 colonies of 20,000 bees each in real life. Honey bees can cover long distances as they fly around in a social swarm. However, they spend more time on the trees collecting pollen or nectar, resulting in lower pollination effectiveness compared to wild bees. The trees indicate successful pollination with a purple indicator after flowering, with a higher value indicating better pollination (up to 19%).

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The wild bees are depicted as solitary creatures, with a total of only 100. They do not fly in flocks, but rather individually to the flowering trees. Their flight radius is limited and they do not fly far. They can even fly in bad and cold weather. Unlike honey bees, they collect both nectar and pollen during each flight. Due to anatomical reasons, their pollination performance is significantly higher as they store collected pollen on their lower abdomen. They have a success rate of up to 70% in pollinating trees.

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Exhibition

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For the exhibition, I wanted to create a piece that arouses interest, conveys information, and provides visitors with suggestions for solutions. It begins with a visualization displayed on a screen placed on the floor, allowing viewers to look down from above. The 7:40 minute video runs continuously, accompanied by a background de-humming sound that highlights the number and activity of the bees.

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In addition to the visualization, there is a textual component that provides information about the project and the topic. Two old bee frames were used for this purpose, with each frame containing a sheet of paper displaying details such as a legend, a brief description, and the problems and solutions.

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Lastly, interested individuals can take something with them. The wild bee cheatsheet includes a year-round flowering calendar and information about German wild bees that are active throughout the year. Its purpose is to raise awareness and promote sensitivity. Additionally, there is enclosed seed paper that serves as an incentive for individuals to contribute to solving the problem by planting wild flowers themselves.