Biodiversity Baselines
WildMon uses various technologies to determine biodiversity baselines, which are crucial for monitoring as they provide a reference point to assess changes in ecosystems over time. By establishing an initial state of biodiversity, these baselines allow us to detect trends, measure the impact of conservation efforts, and identify areas at risk. This information is essential for making informed decisions to protect and restore biodiversity.
Mapping species distributions across the U.S. Virgin Islands
This project will establish a biodiversity baseline of bird and frog populations across the U.S. Virgin Islands, with an emphasis on species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) and invasive species.
We’re implementing passive acoustic monitoring across three islands in the archipelago to assess species presence and model species distribution. To achieve this, we use AI species classification models that automatically detect species from recordings combined with innovative AI-based species distribution models.
Application
Timeline
Scope
Location
Partner
2024 - ongoing
150 sites (50 on each island)
St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix islands
Contributions
Sustainable development
goals
Bioacoustics survey design
Hardware (acoustics recorders)
Analysis of recordings for species detection
Acoustic species classification AI model
Ecological modeling
AI-based species distribution modeling
This project will assess the population status of bird and frog populations with an emphasis on species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) and invasive species. We will deploy recorders across three islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands to assess species presence and model species distribution. We will develop and train an AI model to automatically classify species from recordings. These species detections will then be used in our state-of-the-art species distribution modeling pipeline, which also harnesses the power of AI.
About the project
Our results will play a crucial role in assessing the population status of threatened and data-deficient species, providing valuable insights into their conservation needs and informing effective management plans. This project will also map the distribution of invasive species to inform effective eradication strategies.
Impact goals
Combining species-level monitoring and environmental variables in ecological models provides a strong overview of the health of the ecosystem. This project will allow us to evaluate species’ associations with habitat management and environmental conditions, which is crucial for conservation planning and biodiversity preservation. It will also help our partners in prioritizing conservation efforts, identifying vulnerable species and ecosystems.
By assessing potential impacts on ecosystem functioning and identifying areas at risk of invasive species spread, results from this project will support proactive management strategies. Furthermore, understanding species’ adaptive potential and vulnerabilities aids in developing resilience strategies and promoting the long-term survival of species in the face of climate change.
