bAImo

Bavarian Artificial Intelligence for Insect Monitoring

Project overview

Insects play a central role in Bavarian ecosystems, for example in pollination, pest control and the carbon cycle. At the same time, a significant decline in many insect species and their biomass is being observed worldwide. In order to be able to initiate effective countermeasures, such changes must be recognised early and reliably.

The bAImo project is part of the Bavarian research network bayklif 2.0. The aim of the project is to further develop and optimise the existing insect survey in Bavaria based on models. To this end, artificial intelligence (AI) methods are combinedwith ecological expertise as well as monitoring and citizen science data.

Sub-project at the Chair of Global Change Ecology

The sub-project, which is based at the Chair of Global Change Ecology at the University of Würzburg, is part of the Ecological Modelling department and forms the interface between model development and biodiversity monitoring.

The aim is to improve the usability of existing monitoring data, to identify suitable indicator species that enable projections for insufficiently sampled insect species, and to develop possible future scenarios for insects in Bavaria under global change.

Aims and approach

The Würzburg sub-project contributes to better evaluating existing monitoring data and making it usable for model-based analyses. In particular, the aim is to create a reliable basis for analysing insect trends and developing future recording strategies.

In co-operation with the other bAImo sub-projects, cost-efficient and targeted sampling strategies will be developed on this basis. The project thus creates the basis for a more precise understanding of insect trends and for targeted conservation measures in Bavaria.

Cooperation in the project network

bAImo consists of several sub-projects within the framework of bayklif 2.0. The Würzburg sub-project works together with other partners, in particular with Dr Maximilian Pichler and Prof. Dr Jörg Müller.

Project information

         PI:

         Dr Eva Katharina Engelhardt

         Subject:

         Ecological Modelling

         Study site:

         Bavaria

         Funding:

        Bavarian Network for Climate Research (bayklif) 2.0 , Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts

         Duration:

         2026-2030

         Collaborators:     

        Dr Maximilian Pichler, Prof Dr Jörg Müller

         Staff:

         Pia Marina Falter (PhD candidate), Lars (Hiwi)

         Links:

         www.bayklif2.de/baimo