Pl@ntNet: AI powered plant identification for global biodiversity monitoring
Pl@ntNet is a citizen science platform that uses AI to identify plant species and support large-scale biodiversity monitoring. Co-developed since 2009 by a consortium of research organisations, it now includes regionalised floras and the ability to process high-resolution vegetation images such as quadrats and imagery from sensors and drones.
The platform offers four access points: Pl@ntNet for Android, Pl@ntNet for iOS, Pl@ntNet Web, and the Pl@ntNet API. Key advances include the migration to a global flora of more than 70,000 vascular plant species, expanded support for vegetation community images, and a comprehensive API suite. Pl@ntNet now serves nearly 20 million annual mobile users, about 9 million web users, and more than 18,000 API accounts.
Pl@ntNet addresses the limited availability of accessible and reliable botanical expertise. It seeks collaborations with organisations that can contribute visual data, test the system in new contexts, or apply its services at scale. Target audiences include EU and Member State policy makers, research and technology organisations, private investors, and public institutions involved in conservation and land management.
Current development efforts focus on expanding multi-species datasets, integrating authoritative botanical sources, and improving performance for spatial and temporal monitoring. Users come from sectors such as agriculture, climate action, the digital economy, education, and environmental protection.
Pl@ntNet has processed more than 1.3 billion identification requests and remains globally accessible. Core services are free, with advanced features available by subscription at my.plantnet.org.
This work was carried out through MAMBO and GUARDEN.