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Data Skeptic

Biodiversity Monitoring

Aug 14, 2024
Hager Radi, a specialist in biodiversity monitoring, delves into the intricate world of species distribution modeling. She discusses the challenges posed by incomplete data and biases in presence-only datasets. Hager highlights the innovative use of machine learning and remote sensing, showcasing how these technologies can help predict species distributions even with limited observations. She also sheds light on exciting developments like using drones and citizen science platforms, emphasizing the importance of tech in conservation efforts.
32:20

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Accurate biodiversity modeling relies on rich data sets, yet challenges arise due to incomplete and biased data collection methods like citizen science.
  • Machine learning significantly enhances biodiversity monitoring by efficiently analyzing large datasets, ultimately aiding in predictive modeling and ecosystem health assessments.

Deep dives

Understanding Biodiversity Metrics

Biodiversity is evaluated through two primary metrics: richness and evenness, which refer to the number of species in a location and the distribution of individuals among those species. A location could have numerous species, but if a majority are concentrated in one or two, the biodiversity would be low. Accurate modeling of these metrics can inform predictions about potential habitats for specific organisms by considering various abiotic factors like temperature and elevation. Additionally, this understanding emphasizes the importance of maintaining biodiversity for successful ecosystem functioning and the services they provide.

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