NEWS & EVENTS

BiodivOc Symposium 2024: Addressing Biodiversity and Ecological Crises

On December 10th  and 11th, the BiodivOc Symposium brought together researchers, professionals, and the public to explore the theme of “Research and Management of Biodiversity in Times of Ecological Crises.” Jointly organised by BiodivOc and AdNatura, this two-day event in Montpellier (France) was the opportunity for a dialogue between research and biodiversity management, highlighting interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to ecological challenges.

This event, supported by key institutions, including the CNRS, CeMEB, the University of Montpellier, and the Occitanie Region, underscores the urgency of addressing the accelerating impacts of human activities on ecosystems. With global challenges like biodiversity collapse and climate-induced environmental shifts, the symposium aims to enhance understanding of biodiversity dynamics, develop actionable scenarios, and establish frameworks to mitigate and manage ecological crises.

Key Session: Tackling Biological Invasions

One of the symposium’s highlights is the workshop “Synergies and Reciprocal Benefits Between Research and Management to Address the Challenges of Biological Invasions,” held on the 10th of December at the Charles Flahault Amphitheater.

Moderated by Yohann Soubeyran (UICN France), the session explored how cutting-edge technologies such as eDNA, metabarcoding, and AI-driven image recognition transform invasive species’ detection, identification, and management.

During the BiodivOc Symposium, Pierre Bonnet (CIRAD) presented how the Pl@ntNet platform, a citizen science initiative, can contribute to monitoring invasive alien species. This mobile application, which combines artificial intelligence with participatory science, allows users to identify plant species through images. The platform has generated valuable data that feeds into global biodiversity repositories like GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) and also provides API access for researchers and professionals, enabling innovative applications in ecology.

In his presentation, Pierre Bonnet showcased its use in the MAMBO Project, where Pl@ntNet’s AI model was applied to identify invasive species from images captured by onboard cameras. This approach demonstrated how advanced technology opens new possibilities to improve the efficiency and accuracy of invasive alien species surveillance, providing critical support for biodiversity conservation.

Presentations included the participation of other multiple experts:
  • Frédérique Viard (CNRS): Application of eDNA and metabarcoding for monitoring non-native marine species.
  • Arnaud Albert (OFB): Insights from a national data acquisition program on invasive plants along road networks.
  • Camille Bernery (UICN France): The Invasive Species Resource Center as a collaborative platform for researchers and managers.

For more information and event details, visit the BiodivOc webpage.

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