For the first time, big data and artificial intelligence are being used to model hidden patterns in nature, not just for one bird species, but for entire ecological communities across continents. And the models follow each species' full annual life cycle.
How are big data and AI used in ornithology?
Big data and AI are being utilized to model hidden patterns in nature across entire ecological communities, not just for individual bird species. These models track each species' full annual life cycle, from breeding to migration, providing insights into biodiversity and the environmental conditions that influence species interactions.
What is the significance of citizen science in this research?
The participation of over 900,000 birders in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird program has significantly enhanced data collection. This citizen science initiative helps fill data gaps and provides a large-scale observational dataset that is crucial for understanding species diversity and composition in various regions.
What are the future plans for this technology?
The researchers plan to release new biodiversity data products on species richness that will be publicly available in 2024. Additionally, they aim to extend their models to estimate bird abundance and incorporate various data modalities, such as visual and audio observations, to enhance the accuracy of their findings.