Towards Large-Scale Biodiversity Monitoring in Europe
Named in tribute to the famous ship that carried Charles Darwin, the BEAGLE project (Biodiversity Methods for Advanced Monitoring at Large Scales) is a major European initiative.
Its ambition? To generate up to one billion new biodiversity data points across the terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems of the European Union.
Today, biodiversity monitoring in Europe is still too fragmented. To assess the effectiveness of nature restoration policies (such as the European Green Deal or the Nature Restoration Law), scientists and decision-makers require massive, precise, and standardized data. BEAGLE meets this challenge by combining cutting-edge technologies: automated sensors, environmental DNA (eDNA), artificial intelligence, and citizen science.
Why is BEAGLE a Key Project for Pl@ntNet?
As a core member of the BEAGLE consortium, the Pl@ntNet ecosystem will be at the heart of several major technological innovations that will directly benefit both its users and scientific research:
- From Species to Habitat with GeoPl@ntNet: The project will expand Pl@ntNet’s capabilities beyond simple species identification. It will develop GeoPl@ntNet, a web application and database capable of mapping habitat structure and condition at high resolution by cross-referencing citizen observations with satellite data and deep learning.
- “Next-Generation” Artificial Intelligence: Pl@ntNet’s AI models will be enhanced to analyze complex scenes (multi-label classification) and estimate vegetation cover. The goal is to process vast amounts of data while quantifying prediction uncertainty.
- Synergy Among Citizen Observers: BEAGLE aims to harmonize and boost citizen science platforms across Europe (such as Pl@ntNet and MINKA). Targeted campaigns will be organized in underrepresented countries, and gamification tools (badges, leaderboards) will be tested to encourage long-term contributor engagement.
The 4 Main Objectives of the BEAGLE Project
To transform the way Europe observes nature, the project is structured around four complementary objectives covering the entire value chain—from field collection to policy decision-making:
- Identifying and Filling Data Gaps: BEAGLE will begin by identifying spatial, temporal, and taxonomic gaps in current data. The project will strategically deploy new sensors and mobilize existing but currently inaccessible data to ensure an accurate representation of Europe’s diverse climates and ecosystems.
- Combining Multi-Source Monitoring Methods: The project relies on a combination of three approaches:
- Automated sensors: Massive deployment of camera traps, autonomous acoustic recorders, drones, and onboard cameras.
- Biological sampling: Use of environmental DNA (analyzing DNA traces left in water or soil) via advanced bioinformatics pipelines.
- Citizen science: Mobilizing citizens through Pl@ntNet to cover vast geographic areas cost-effectively and inclusively.
- Standardizing and Modeling: All raw data will be standardized (notably using the Darwin Core Humboldt Extension format). This will enable the creation of high-resolution maps showing species distribution and habitat quality. The ultimate goal is to transform this data into actionable insights.
An Approach Grounded in Open Science
In the interest of transparency and sustainability, BEAGLE strictly applies the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). The millions of observations generated—including those from the Pl@ntNet community—will be shared openly, making a lasting contribution to global biodiversity conservation.
