Significant funding awarded to help develop AI-based methods for classifying birds and bats
Academy Professor Otso Ovaskainen from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science of the Ģֱand Professor David Dunson from Duke University have received significant research funding from the Research Council of Finland and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The project received a total of 1,069,500 euros in funding.
The research project focuses on field study that is being carried out in Finland’s national parks, the Republic of Madagascar, and Greenland, as well as on the development of AI-based automatic observation stations for the biomonitoring of birds and bats. The aim is to develop advanced statistical models and technologies people can use to more closely monitor and analyse the behaviour of different bird species and bats and related environmental changes.
“We need cost-effective and reliable ways to measure biodiversity and its changes in the rapidly changing world,” says Ovaskainen. “Our goal is to develop a solar-powered monitoring station, which listens to birds and bats using artificial intelligence while transferring the collected, real-time data wirelessly straight to the researchers. If we succeed in developing an inexpensive device which can function in the weather conditions of both Madagascar and Greenland, I strongly believe the device will revolutionize acoustic monitoring also internationally.”
Academy Professor Otso Ovaskainen, Professor David Dunson and Ari Lehtiö, head of development for research digitalisation at JYU, are behind the project’s creation and design. The project is based on Ovaskainen’s research, which focuses on the modelling of ecological phenomena and biodiversity, as well as on Dunson’s expertise in the statistical analysis of large amounts of data.
The project is also supported by the technology of the Migration Birds Spring mobile app developed by the Ģֱ, CSC, and Yle. The app has collected millions of recordings of birdsong and encouraged people to participate in observing nature. The app’s AI model has been trained using the materials produced by the users.
The project will provide valuable insight into the effects of climate change and changes in habitats on the behaviour and biodiversity of birds and bats. The use of artificial intelligence and automatic systems enables continuous and comprehensive monitoring, which will improve forecasts and support the allocation of protective measures.
