Minister acquires plant breeding skills via mobile application.
Exploring the Green with a Mobile App: Field Botany Course Unveils the Secrets of Local Plants - Even Ministers Dive In
Lower Saxony's Environment Minister, Christian Meyer, takes a dip into the world of plant identification during a visit to a four-day field botany course in Springe. The course, sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, combines traditional methods and modern technology, like a handy mobile app.
According to the ministry, about a third of all animal and plant species in Germany are teetering on the brink of extinction. Effective measures to protect biodiversity and halt species decline are essential, yet knowledge about the plant and animal kingdoms is rapidly dwindling, the ministry notes.
A Program Rooted in Education
The field botany course in Springe exposes attendees to the fundamentals of species identification, alongside biology, ecology, and habitat knowledge for vascular plants. Since 2019, a nationwide program, initiated by the nationwide working group of state-funded educational institutions in nature and environmental protection, has striven to share knowledge and offer examinations at three levels: bronze, silver, and gold.
App: A Gateway to the Topics
The Springe course introduces the basics of species identification via an app, with the help of a pilot project running in Lower Saxony for a year. This innovative approach encourages users, regardless of expertise, to hone their species identification skills while contributing to valuable data collection.
Impact Through Partnerships
The Competence Network Species Knowledge Lower Saxony, spearheaded by the Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Protection, partners with various organizations, such as the BUND Lower Saxony, the Foundation Nature Conservation Park Lüneburger Heide, and the Nature Conservation Union (NABU). The project, mainly funded by the Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation, aims to build public awareness of environmental and nature conservation issues.
Mobile apps have become powerful tools for plant identification, enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Algorithms, such as those developed by the research team from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, analyze images and compare them to extensive botanical databases. This technology empowers citizens to contribute to biodiversity monitoring, fostering public involvement in the conservation effort.
By leveraging this tech, initiatives like the Competence Network Species Knowledge aim to collect detailed and precise data on local flora, monitor changes in species distribution, inform targeted conservation actions, and support ongoing citizen science projects. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the integration of mobile technology into biodiversity initiatives is a promising formula for filling knowledge gaps, supporting conservation, and promoting resilience in the face of environmental changes.
- Mobile apps, such as those utilized in the field botany course in Springe, are being powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, allowing for precise plant identification and data collection that can aid in biodiversity monitoring.
- In the realm of environmental-science, technology is proving to be a valuable asset, as seen in the integration of a mobile app into the field botany course, which aims to empower attendees to enhance their species identification skills and contribute to conservation efforts.
