Work

Designing for a Sustainable Future: The Role of Animal Tracking Platforms in Fostering Environmental Awareness and Conservation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: With the advancement of digital technology, animal tracking platforms have evolved from specialized conservation tools into dynamic interfaces that support public participation in sustainable environmental development. As concerns over biodiversity loss and ecosystem health intensify, these platforms increasingly serve as bridges between digital engagement and environmental awareness. Drawing on both user-generated content and survey data, the research adopts a mixed-method approach to explore how platform design shapes users’ cognitive engagement with conservation. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was applied to analyze social media discussions, identifying three dominant themes that reflect user concerns: tracking and conservation relevance, interface design and usability, and animal welfare and emotional connection. These themes informed the construction of three perceptionbased variables: perceived platform functionality, design uniqueness, and interface information design. Survey data were collected through both online and offline methods, targeting individuals familiar with animal tracking platforms. A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis based on 395 valid responses reveals that these platform perceptions significantly influence users’ subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral attitudes, which in turn shape their intention to follow wildlife conservation information. The findings suggest that platforms emphasizing intuitive design, reliable tracking, and emotionally resonant content are more likely to foster meaningful conservationoriented engagement. This study offers practical insights for conservation organizations and technology developers seeking to enhance user participation through responsive, value-driven digital platforms.

Source: Polish Journal of Environmental Studies

DOI: 10.15244/pjoes/208932

Authors: Yue Chen, Jiayi Liu, Weiling Shi

Institutions: Anhui Institute of Information Technology, Anhui Polytechnic University, Lanzhou University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Human-Technology Interaction

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Anhui University