Impact story
Improved toolbox for measuring biodiversity
Typically, measuring biodiversity is specialised and time-consuming work. Therefore, WUR researchers have compared and explored new ways of biomonitoring. They discovered that using methods, such as using sound monitoring boxes, and tracking DNA floating in the air, can be more efficient than previously used methods. Improved data about biodiversity can help scientists, farmers and policymakers take the right measures, thereby increasing biodiversity.
Biodiversity loss is being tackled by a wide range of initiatives. Solutions like green roofs in cities or flower strips to attract more insects can be found in many places now. Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature is investing heavily in new nature-positive food systems, such as agroforestry. To ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives the WUR researchers are investigating to what extent these new forms of agriculture and nature protection are contributing to increasing biodiversity. This requires reliable ways to measure biodiversity.
Sound Monitoring Boxes, Drone Photography
This has previously often been done by birdwatchers with binoculars, many separate sensors and manual field measurements, or scientists catching insects and identifying them in the laboratory. This is time-consuming work. Therefore, WUR researchers experiment with new monitoring methods. For example, the researchers used wildlife cameras and monitored the sounds of birds and bats with boxes hanging in trees. Through automatic image and sound recognition, a list of this collected data is generated that shows the species observed. These technologies make it possible to quickly and efficiently collect information on the presence and identity of different animals or plants in a given area.
The researchers also researched the use of drone photography instead of using many separate sensors. In the Ketelbroek forest, the oldest food forest in the Netherlands, this method was tested to see if the same light signals that are typically used to see how healthy the plants are, can also be used to identify species. Furthermore, with drone photography, data can be collected about abiotic variables, such as vegetation structure and microclimate. This helps understand whether the conditions are right for certain species. Lastly, drone data can also be used to make 3D-models which can provide information about, for example, carbon storage.
Tracking DNA in the Air
The WUR researchers are also exploring a new method of analysing floating DNA in the air. This technique was first tested a few years ago at the Copenhagen Zoo with great accuracy. The WUR researchers also found the method to be highly accurate in their research in Ketelbroek. The method identified almost all species that were found jointly by a bird watcher and the sound monitoring, plus many more. The researchers expect this technique to take off in the coming years.
They are currently working on creating a decision-making key to put all the trade-offs of different biodiversity measuring tools side by side. It will include detection probability, costs, resolution (species or family level detection), practicality, and other factors. This can help farmers, scientists, and others choose the right tool and eventually determine which measures work well to increase biodiversity.