Insightful Results: A Success for Biodiversity

The results were clear: The blooming islands attracted an impressive variety of insects. Beyond the flowering period, a positive effect on the insect population was observed.
This demonstrates the sustainable impact of the blooming areas on biodiversity. From July to September, it was observed that the number of individuals in various insect orders on the established blooming areas had substantially increased. Especially notable were Coleoptera (e.g., Seven-spot ladybirds) and Hemiptera (e.g., black-legged shield bugs), followed by Lepidoptera (butterflies like the Small Tortoiseshell) and Hymenoptera, which include many pollinators like bees. Particularly noteworthy was the high flight activity around the blooming logo and the surrounding strips, emphasizing the effectiveness of the blooming islands as ecosystem connection points.

By carefully selecting planting sites, blooming areas were created that network with neighboring biotopes, thus supporting insects that can only travel short distances. The effectiveness of these measures is confirmed by the impressive number of 107 different insect species identified within a day on the logo areas. Many of these species are native and valuable to the ecosystem but struggle to find habitat in conventionally farmed areas.
The IoT-connected bees in the field also found optimal conditions, as their honey yield was 25% higher than at conventional locations. This technology, which captures sensor data on temperature, weight, and bee activity, allows beekeepers to monitor environmental conditions and beehive health in real-time and to optimize them specifically, leading to more efficient honey production and improved living conditions for the bees.

Various professional publications confirm that, in addition to insects, other small animals also benefit from the networking of blooming strips, using them as migration routes. During harvest time, the blooming strip becomes a refuge for many animals, allowing them to repopulate the field from there after the harvest. Many beneficial organisms live in the blooming strip, contributing to biological pest control and thus positively affecting the adjacent crops.

The results of the study illustrate that creating such blooming areas makes a significant contribution to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity. They provide valuable species with a refuge and help increase species diversity amid intensively used agricultural lands. This underscores the role of integrated blooming areas as a key element for networking different biotopes and creating sustainable habitats for a wide range of insect species.
Science agrees that blooming elements like “Magenta Blossom” have many benefits: The beneficial organisms they harbor promote the pollination of food and cultivated plants and contribute to the need for fewer pesticides. All of this strengthens the resilience of the ecosystem and increases the recreational value of the landscape for people.