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AI fights against species extinction: New technologies for insect protection!
Researchers at the University of Hohenheim are developing an AI-supported camera system to automatically record rare pollinators.
AI fights against species extinction: New technologies for insect protection!
A new era of species conservation has begun, in which artificial intelligence (AI) plays a central role. Researchers of the University of Hohenheim develop an innovative camera system that specializes in pollinators. The aim of this system is to provide valuable information for species protection. Pollinators such as bumblebees and wild bees in particular are facing dramatic population reductions, and there is a lack of reliable data on insect diversity.
Current methods for detecting insects are time-consuming and harmful to the animals' health. A team of researchers is therefore working on an automated solution together with the State Institute for Bee Science as well as partners from universities and the start-up apic.ai. Their project, called “BeeVision,” aims to record and classify pollinators using a camera system, something that was previously only possible with considerable effort.
Monitoring biodiversity using acoustic sensors
In parallel with this project, the... TU Clausthal the BioIntAkt project was launched. This is about the use of ecoacoustics to analyze biodiversity in ecosystems. Six partner institutions are working on this project to better monitor biodiversity through innovative technologies.
With almost a third of the animal and plant species in Germany considered endangered, researching and documenting biodiversity is of immense importance. Disruptive factors such as climate change, insecticides and air, water and soil pollution contribute to the risk. One of the central challenges of the project is the detection of quiet noises that are overshadowed by loud noise. Artificial intelligence is used here to minimize the time required and reduce the expertise required.
Global challenges and the role of technology
According to one study Species extinction is one of the biggest global crises. In Europe, a fifth of all species could be threatened with extinction within the next few decades. Artificial intelligence has the potential to address this challenge by better analyzing the context of species extinctions and improving our perception of nature, including interactions within ecosystems.
Furthermore, research shows that 79% of sustainability goals can be positively influenced by AI, especially those related to climate and the environment. These developments represent not only technological progress, but also a glimmer of hope in the fight against the loss of biodiversity.
The BeeVision system, which has been in development since January 2024 and will run for two years, is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. The aim is to reduce the costs of this camera technology and to enable long-term monitoring of insect diversity, which is essential for preserving biodiversity.