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📣 The ARDC Planet Research Data Commons is partnering with QCIF to scale-up the #Wildlife Observatory of Australia (WildObs), a collaborative initiative involving scientists, government agencies, and environmental groups focused on using machine-based observations to monitor wildlife. 📷 🐨 🐈 The project will develop a purpose-built capacity for storing, sharing, and analysing imagery collected using wildlife camera traps. By integrating currently siloed camera trap #data into a unified, standardised, and user-friendly continental database, WildObs will facilitate better access and analytics for researchers and policymakers. WildObs is part of a suite of connected national-scale data infrastructure addressing earth and environmental science researchers' biggest data challenges via the ARDC Planet Research Data Commons (Planet RDC). Through the Planet RDC focus area National Machine Observation Processing Infrastructure (MODS), WildObs will work alongside an ecoacoustics project to establish shared infrastructure, services and standards to enable processing of #ecoacoustic and #camera trap data. Hamish Holewa, Director, Planet Research Data Commons, ARDC, said, “Machine observations are the hallmark of continental-scale observations. The ARDC is bringing its expertise in partnering across the research and NGO sectors to develop enduring research infrastructure. With WildObs, the research community will collaborate on machine observation data storage and processing to capitalise on these rich data to conduct unprecedented research on how biodiversity is changing.” QCIF Adjunct Professor Sach Jayasinghe, QCIF’s CEO and project lead said, “This collaboration is aligned with QCIF’s mission of accelerating research excellence and societal impact under our Sustainable Futures portfolio, which focuses on developing cutting-edge digital research infrastructure capabilities in conservation, climate and biodiversity.” Dr Beryl Morris, Director of TERN Australia, said she applauds the development of robust processing capability for data from observation of biodiversity using cameras. “Streamlining data processing to make the incidental and time series data retrievable by researchers and decision-makers will be a significant advance in realising the benefits of camera observations.” Partners include: QCIF, TERN Australia Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, The University of Queensland, University of Tasmania, Bush Heritage Australia, University of Sydney Australian Museum, QUT (Queensland University of Technology), Museums Victoria, WWF-Australia, EcoCommons Australia, Biosecurity Commons Australia and others. Learn more🔗 https://lnkd.in/geC_Guix #cameratraps #ecology #monitoring #research #researchinfrastructure #NCRISimpact

On Monday this week, I joined the utterly incredible team at RESTORE, as Ecology Director! To say I am excited would be an enormous understatement, but I'll say it anyway! I am excited to be working with a team that lives and breathes ecological restoration, a team that works constructively and collaboratively with landowners and managers to empower them to deliver rapid nature restoration, a team with a depth of knowledge, breadth of skills and level of ambition that truly makes me believe that we can and will turn the tide and see substantial ecological recovery in our lifetimes. You may be wondering why there is an image of a European sturgeon accompanying this post. The answer is simple. Before joining RESTORE, I told our phenomenal CEO, Benedict Macdonald, that I wanted RESTORE to help drive forward a national recovery of European and Atlantic sturgeon populations - two species of gentle giant that are functionally extinct in the UK's river catchments and would require significant restoration action across whole river systems and into the marine realm. His answer was yes, let's do it, before immediately beginning to sketch out how this could actually be achieved in practical and financial terms. That, in a nutshell, is why I decided to join RESTORE. From delivering visions and strategies for the ecological recovery of whole land-and-waterscapes, to securing very convincing natural capital funding to move landholdings, farm clusters and whole landscapes into full ecological restoration, to groundbreaking work to bring back regionally and nationally extinct species - this is truly a company that is delivering innovative, inspirational, scientifically and financially robust nature recovery, at pace and at scale. My remit at RESTORE is broad but focussed. I will be: > Working with a range of partners to drive forward innovative, scalable, scientifically robust ecological baselining and monitoring methods that can be rolled out across whole landscapes. > Supporting the species reintroduction work of the phenomenal Peter Cooper. > Working with our powerhouse Land Management Director Ross Wingfield to provide ecological advice to a broad range of land and water owners and managers. > Ensuring that our work continues to be underpinned by and contributes to the best available science. My first few days have already been a whirlwind of exciting conversations and action planning at the two day whole-team meeting in Bristol, before heading on to the CIEEM Autumn Conference in Cardiff, which this year is - very appropriately, focussed solely on ecological restoration. If you are at the CIEEM conference this year and would like to discuss the work of RESTORE and/or collaboration opportunities, feel free to grab me for a chat! If you aren't at the conference but would like to do the same, please feel free to reach out on LinkedIn or in person at another event. Here's to a big, wild future of ecological recovery!

Proactively planning for a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) with our accredited ecology team smooths your project’s journey. 🤝 Let us explain how, using a success story: We partnered with Cheshire East Council on a housing development project. Faced with the challenge of potential biodiversity loss, we facilitated an off-site solution by connecting the council with local landowners. Our team drafted a comprehensive management plan to create and maintain new habitats. Since initiating the habitat creation process in 2022, we've been actively monitoring its progress. With regular site visits scheduled, we’re ensuring that all obligations are met and the new habitats thrive. The council was on track to achieve its BNG target, making a significant positive impact on the local environment🪴 Get us involved in your development sooner rather than later. It'll greatly lessen the chances of any hiccups. Reach out: https://loom.ly/1qtWtFU #BiodiversityNetGain #BNG #EnvironmentalConsultancy #Ecology

The tropical rainforests of the world have been a cradle of biodiversity and a wellspring of human ingenuity. For Peter Houlihan, tropical ecologist and executive vice president of biodiversity and conservation at the XPRIZE Foundation, these ecosystems represent a lifelong fascination and a source of boundless potential. Over the years, he has ventured deep into jungles, hauling equipment to study elusive insect species. Yet, as he recently watched a drone deploy a canopy raft equipped with a light trap, he saw a decade of painstaking effort condensed into just 15 minutes. “It hit home in a game-changing way,” he reflected in a recent conversation with Abhishyant Kidangoor for Mongabay News. Houlihan’s realization encapsulates the vision behind the XPRIZE Rainforest competition, a $10 million initiative to revolutionize biodiversity monitoring. Over five years, a diverse assembly of ecologists, engineers, Indigenous leaders, and technologists collaborated to design tools capable of rapidly and comprehensively assessing ecosystems. The competition culminated in the Amazon rainforest earlier this year, where Limelight Rainforest, a multidisciplinary team from the United States, claimed the top prize. The showcased innovations were groundbreaking: drones carrying environmental DNA (eDNA) sensors, AI-powered light traps capable of real-time species identification, and canopy rafts for unobtrusive monitoring. Houlihan, an entomologist by training, was struck by the advancements. “On day one of the finals, the first team detected jaguars using eDNA,” he shared, marveling at a feat that would traditionally take months of fieldwork. Such tools, he believes, can scale biodiversity monitoring to encompass entire landscapes, offering “a living and breathing understanding of the biodiversity across an entire forest.” The competition also set a new benchmark for inclusivity. Indigenous peoples played a central role, ensuring the solutions honored traditional knowledge and fostered equitable collaboration. Houlihan recounted how an Indigenous team member identified a water source by spotting specific palm species, blending ancestral wisdom with modern technology to guide the effort. With the competition complete, its impact phase aims to scale these innovations. Pilot projects in the Amazon, Southeast Asia, and the Congo Basin are already underway, aligning with the UN’s 30x30 biodiversity goals. These tools, Houlihan suggests, could accelerate the creation of protected areas and transform conservation science. Looking forward, Houlihan envisions even broader initiatives, from restoring coral reefs to intercepting wildlife trafficking. “We are living, breathing members of this planet,” he observed. “With the right incentives, we are going to figure this out.” The interview: https://lnkd.in/gHqNWtAz 📹 Kapok tree in the Amazon

🌲 Protecting Our Ecosystems: The Role of Prescribed Fire 🌲 Discover how Tall Timbers is leveraging cutting-edge technology to preserve the longleaf pine forests through the strategic use of prescribed fire. 🔥 This innovative approach, developed in collaboration with Esri, safeguards these critical ecosystems and enhances biodiversity and resilience against wildfires. Learn more about the science behind prescribed burns and how GIS technology plays a pivotal role in conservation efforts. #Conservation #GIS #PrescribedFire #EnvironmentalStewardship #Esri #TallTimbers

GeoEnvi Tech Cameroon is embarking on an exciting initiative to research and monitor the ecology of protected species in the Takamanda Gorilla Sanctuary in the South West Region of Cameroon and the Ebo Forest in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Leveraging our expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing technologies, we aim to provide critical insights and data to support conservation efforts. Our research objectives include: 1. *Habitat mapping and fragmentation analysis*: Using high-resolution satellite imagery and GIS techniques, we will create detailed maps of the Takamanda Gorilla Sanctuary and Ebo Forest habitats. This will help us identify areas of habitat fragmentation, which can inform conservation strategies. 2. *Species distribution modeling*: We will use remote sensing data and machine learning algorithms to model the distribution of protected species, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and other endangered animals. This will help us understand their habitat preferences and identify areas of high conservation value. 3. *Monitoring land cover change*: We will use time-series satellite imagery to monitor changes in land cover, such as deforestation, forest degradation, and agricultural expansion. This will help us understand the impacts of human activities on the ecosystems and inform sustainable land-use planning. 4. *Developing conservation planning tools*: We will create user-friendly tools and platforms to support conservation planning and decision-making. These tools will integrate our research findings with other relevant data, such as socio-economic information and conservation priorities. Our research will provide valuable insights and data to support conservation efforts in the Takamanda Gorilla Sanctuary and Ebo Forest. We anticipate that our findings will be of great interest to NGOs, government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in conservation and sustainable development in Cameroon.

Biodiversity Net Gain & Reptiles BNG is a habitat-based approach, which means that development projects avoid and reduce habitat clearance and then generate net gains by creating and enhancing more wildlife-rich habitats. To some, this is "build it and they will come" whereby we build BNG habitats and wildlife will flourish. But with many wildlife species requiring specific habitat types and characteristics, we do need to design BNG habitats for specific species whilst meeting mandatory BNG requirements. To help with this, @Nicole King Victoria Iggo Ana Togridou and Dr Stuart Graham CEcol, CEnv, MCIEEM, FLS have developed an incredibly useful tool that scores habitats in the BNG metric for their suitability for reptile species. The tool enables Ecologists to quickly check BNG habitats for their suitability for reptiles, identifying opportunities for a win-win for BNG and for reptiles. Would like to know more? Do join our webinar this Wednesday 29th May 1pm, here is the link to register: https://lnkd.in/en7Cyrw6 #biodiversitynetgain #BNG # reptiles #webinar Many thanks to Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) for hosting us

Reflecting on an Incredible Year: 2024 in Review 🦈 As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year marked by challenges, growth, and remarkable discoveries in elasmobranch research. Like the previous year, I stood on the frontlines of real conservation, delivering data crucial for the better understanding and effective protection of sharks, skates and rays. With over 150 days in the field, my work spanned the depths of the southern Adriatic Sea, extended to North Africa, passed through the fishing harbors of Sri Lanka, and reached the remote islands of Indonesia—and beyond. Notable milestones included: ➡️ Rediscovering several species not recorded in this century in the Adriatic Sea or previously known only from a few anecdotal records, such as the Spiny Butterfly Ray, Little Gulper Shark, Sharpnose Sevengill Shark, and a few others. ➡️ Publishing five articles as the first author in leading Q1 and Q2 journals (Wiley and Springer). ➡️ Seeing two of my discoveries go viral, featured in nearly 70 countries and translated into over 30 languages, with coverage in Forbes, The Independent, New Scientist, and many more. ➡️ Being invited to join the Editorial Board of Aquatic Conservation, a Q1 journal published by Wiley. ➡️ Supervising two Master’s theses at Ghent University in Belgium and one Bachelor’s thesis at the University of Angers in France—students whose dedication and passion give me confidence in the future of marine biology. ➡️ Leading three large macro-regional projects as Principal Investigator, supported by The Explorers Club, National Geographic, and UNEP MAP. ➡️ Filming several documentary series for leading broadcasters. ➡️ Delivering keynote speeches at major congresses and forums across Europe, Asia, and Africa. ➡️ Documenting over 60,000 elasmobranchs and performing more than 10,000 autopsies, contributing valuable data to support future conservation efforts. ➡️ Conducting over 50 workshops and training for local communities and fishermen on proper handling techniques and rapid release protocols for elamobranchs. ➡️ Contributing directly to the effective long-term conservation of several critically endangered and lesser-known species through invitations by local governments and the Barcelona Convention. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, friend, colleagues, and the broader scientific community. I am especially grateful to the dedicated team at Sharklab ADRIA, where every day brings us closer to safeguarding marine life. Looking ahead to 2025, I am eager to expand our research, and complete my third book on shark biology for UNEP. Here's to making an even greater impact in the coming year, God willing. #shark #conservation #research #marinebiology #ilovemywork #2024

Excited to share some information about the project I've been working on for the last three years, the Growing Berrhno and Mininyburr Project. This project is a partnership between Mimal Land Management and CSIRO, with support from Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, aimed at understanding how large feral animals like buffalo, horses, and donkeys affect the environment and biodiversity in the tropical savannas of northern Australia. The project focuses on how these animals, along with fire, impact important features of the habitat, such as vegetation cover and shelter, which are vital for wildlife that is in decline. Berrhno (Dalabon) and Mininyburr (Rembarrnga) refer to the tall forests and dry low woodlands within Mimal. These areas are home to unique plants and animals that depend on a healthy environment to survive and reproduce. Protecting Berrhno and Mininyburr is a top priority under the Mimal Healthy Country Plan, and large feral animals are one of the biggest threats to these valuable landscapes. Through the GBM project Mimal hopes to demonstrate the impact of feral herbivores within the Berrhno and Mininyburr woodlands and forests, while simultaneously building the capacity for Mimal rangers to monitor the biodiversity within these areas. The knowledge gained through this project will inform Mimal’s land management priorities and practices into the future. We look forward to sharing more about the progress of our project in coming months. Find out more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/gwpJq-C3 #environmental #environmentalscience #indigenous #indigenouswomen #indigenouspeople #northernterritory #northernterritoryaustralia #indigenousknowledge #rangers #science #research #nature #outbackaustralia #natureconservation

With a focus on the TOOLS being used to analyze biodiversity and their relationship to manmade structures and systems; further evidence that the “industrial metaverse” is the optimal medium. The integration of natural and human built systems requires a new toolkit. The following study demonstrates the use of spatial tools with a focus on biodiversity and landscape. Additionally, numerous urban planning entities are exploring spatial capabilities under the term, #digitaltwin. Then we add climatology to the mix, and the pattern emerges when they too are utilizing spatial simulations to forecast changes in the environment. The aspect of tracking and monitoring of air, water, and soil quality sensor data is usually missed in these studies because most of them are ad hoc and lack integration with other systems layers in the spatial representation of a region. This has been a major failure in the ESG Movement because of inability to monitor and track change effects. The following study aims to identify the spatial extent of metacommunities at bioregional scales using current and historical habitat data, especially because contemporary biodiversity patterns may be a result of time-lagged responses to historical habitat configurations. For planning and restoration - In both analyses we found that augmenting spatial metacommunity identification with historical geographical proximity results in stronger associations with biodiversity patterns (beta and gamma diversity) than when using only current-day habitat or watershed information. Such spatial identifications enable the translation of information from metacommunity theory into practical on-the-ground conservation strategies. “Estimation of the metacommunity spatial extent is based on both the habitat structure and the dispersal ability of the species.” #planning #analysis #simulations #spatialweb Dan Mapes Prateek S.