Aerial view of the expansive wetlands at Danube Delta featuring lush vegetation, winding water channels, and diverse natural landscapes under a clear sky, highlighting the area's rich biodiversity and serene environment.image: ©SimonSkafar | iStock

A new study proposes a coordinated European Biodiversity Observation Network to fix disconnected monitoring systems. By combining AI, eDNA, and satellite data, the roadmap aims to provide standardised data for vital conservation, policy-making, and biodiversity monitoring

Governments worldwide lack the consistent data necessary to track ecological changes and guide conservation efforts.

To address this, a study led by the University of Amsterdam and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has proposed a comprehensive roadmap to build an integrated Biodiversity Observation Network (BON) for Europe. Published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, the plan outlines a shift from fragmented, national-level monitoring to a coordinated, continent-wide system.

The backbone of harmonised data

The roadmap identifies 84 Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) that serve as a standardised checklist for measuring the state of nature. These variables range from bird abundance and insect activity to genetic diversity and ecosystem productivity. By focusing on these core metrics, researchers can move past the current “siloed” nature of European data, where monitoring programs are often incompatible across borders.

To manage this transition, the authors propose the creation of the European Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC). This EU-level body would act as a central hub, aligning monitoring methods with policy needs and ensuring transparent data governance across all member states.

Integrating high-tech sensors and human expertise for biodiversity monitoring

The proposed system leverages a “high-tech with people” approach, combining digital innovation with traditional field expertise. The roadmap highlights several key technologies:

Automated sensors:

Acoustic recorders for birds and cameras for wildlife and insects

Environmental DNA (eDNA):

Detecting species communities directly from water, soil, or air samples

Remote sensing:

Utilising satellites, drones, and aircraft to monitor habitat structure

Artificial Intelligence:

Using AI for rapid species recognition and automated data processing

Despite these technical advances, the researchers emphasise that human knowledge remains fundamental. Citizen scientists and taxonomic experts provide the essential observations and continuity that sensors alone cannot replicate.

Policy impact and global goals

The roadmap is already influencing European policy. The European Parliament has approved preparatory actions for the EBOCC, aligning the project with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

By delivering harmonised data, this network will help Europe track progress toward international targets, such as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The researchers believe this integrated model could eventually serve as a global blueprint for biodiversity observation in the 21st century.