GeoPl@ntNet: A Platform for Exploring Essential Biodiversity Variables
This work addresses the need for accessible biodiversity data for researchers, policymakers, and the public, though it appears incremental as it applies existing AI methods to a new domain.
The paper tackles the problem of making Essential Biodiversity Variables accessible by developing GeoPl@ntNet, an interactive web application that provides high-resolution AI-generated maps of species distributions and biodiversity indicators across Europe, with resolutions as precise as 50x50 meters, enabling users to explore specific regions and generate comprehensive reports.
This paper describes GeoPl@ntNet, an interactive web application designed to make Essential Biodiversity Variables accessible and understandable to everyone through dynamic maps and fact sheets. Its core purpose is to allow users to explore high-resolution AI-generated maps of species distributions, habitat types, and biodiversity indicators across Europe. These maps, developed through a cascading pipeline involving convolutional neural networks and large language models, provide an intuitive yet information-rich interface to better understand biodiversity, with resolutions as precise as 50x50 meters. The website also enables exploration of specific regions, allowing users to select areas of interest on the map (e.g., urban green spaces, protected areas, or riverbanks) to view local species and their coverage. Additionally, GeoPl@ntNet generates comprehensive reports for selected regions, including insights into the number of protected species, invasive species, and endemic species.