News

A new MAMBO publication investigates the potential of large-scale plant identification models for the early detection of invasive alien plant species using high-resolution roadside imagery. The study, titled “Adapting a global plant identification model to detect invasive alien plant species in high-resolution roadside images”, is the result of a collaboration between MAMBO and the GUARDEN projects. The research addresses the critical need for...

A new MAMBO data paper presents a standardised set of LiDAR vegetation structure metrics derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, offering valuable insights for cross-site ecological monitoring and habitat assessment across Europe. The study, led by Prof. W. Daniel Kissling and co-authored by Wouter Mulder, Jie Wang, and Yuxuan Shi, provides harmonised datasets for the project's seven demonstration sites in five European countries, enabli...

At the Future for Butterflies & Moths symposium in Wageningen (3–5 April 2025), MAMBO project coordinator Professor Toke Høye (Aarhus University) delivered a presentation on the use of automated insect camera traps for long-term moth monitoring. His talk highlighted how emerging technologies can help fill current gaps in insect biodiversity data, with a focus on scalable, non-invasive monitoring methods. The presentation emphasised the imp...

A new study by the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) estimates that between 19% and 36% of the EU’s gross value added (GVA) is highly dependent on ecosystem services. This research, commissioned by DG ENV, highlights the critical role of nature in supporting economic sectors across Europe. Conducted by JRC. B1 and JRC. D6, the study follows a methodology similar to the 2020 PricewaterhouseCoopers & World Economic Forum analysis, us...

The Final Conference of Nature FIRST, one of MAMBO’s Horizon Europe sister projects, will take place on 25–26 June 2025 in the Netherlands. Under the theme “Innovation and Collaboration in Conservation,” the event will bring together stakeholders from across Europe to explore practical tools, collaborative approaches, and new developments in nature conservation. The programme includes interactive booths, workshops, and matchmaking sessions aim...

MAMBO had the opportunity to present its project materials at the ANTENNA’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM took place on 25 and 26 November 2024 in Seville, Spain, at the Doñana Biological Station - CSIC. The two-day event served as a platform for members of the ANTENNA project to share progress, discuss challenges and plan the next steps for the project’s mission to advance pollinator monitoring technologies and to fill key monitori...

MAMBO was recently featured in a dedicated article published by Horizon Magazine, the official research and innovation magazine of the EU. The piece, titled "Researchers combine citizens’ help and cutting-edge tech to track biodiversity", highlights MAMBO’s contribution to developing scalable, technology-based approaches to biodiversity monitoring in support of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The article outlines how MAMBO is addressing...

As 2024 comes to a close, MAMBO reflects on a year of growth and progress. From field trips to case study areas to presenting the project at key events, we’ve had a busy and productive year. Our latest video showcases some of the highlights and achievements of the past year. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners for their continued dedication and to our audience for their unwavering support throughout the year. Here’s to mor...

An open-source framework called MALPOLON has been developed to help researchers build deep learning-based species distribution models (deep-SDMs). Written in Python and based on the PyTorch library, the tool is designed for users with general Python skills, such as ecologists, who want to explore deep learning methods for modelling where species occur. MALPOLON includes ready-to-use examples, supports both custom and provided datasets, and all...

MAMBO partner Daniel Kissling from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has co-authored a paper for the Basic and Applied Ecology journal that presents the development of an innovative system for automated wildlife monitoring. The study area in focus is the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes, a coastal Natura 2000 nature reserve in the Netherlands. Across this location, the remote monitoring of sensor performance was implemented with 65 wire...

The RESPIN Project is conducting a survey to understand and address challenges experts face in participating in IPBES and IPCC processes. If you are a contributor, potential contributor, end-user, or part of an institution working in biodiversity or climate change, RESPIN wants your input. RESPIN (REinforcing Science-Policy INterfaces for integrated biodiversity and climate knowledge and policies) aims to improve the use of biodiversity and cl...

The fall season is upon us, and as we celebrate MAMBO's second anniversary, we are excited to present the second issue of our annual newsletter! For the second consecutive year, we are thrilled to share the latest updates, key developments, highlights, and important announcements about MAMBO. You can read the MAMBO newsletter here. Stay connected with our news and achievements by following us on social media: X, LinkedIn and YouTube. ...

IPBES is organising an online dialogue meeting for Governments and stakeholders that will be held on 5 November 2024 from 1 p. m. – 3 p. m. Central European Time (CET), focusing on the nomination of experts and fellows for the methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity (“spatial planning assessment”). The IPBES Plenary, in decision IPBES-10/1, approved, among other items, the und...

IPBES, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, has exciting news for experts in the field of biodiversity and conservation. IPBES Plenary has officially opened a call for expert nominations for the methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity The spatial planning assessment will address the use and change in use of land, inland waters a...

A study on citizen science advancing biodiversity and ecosystem analysis benefited from insights supplied by a number of MAMBO consortium members. Published in the Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS) journal, the article counts Pierre Bonnet, Vanessa Hequet, Vincent Espitalier and Hervé Goëau from The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), as well as Alexis Joly, César Leblanc and Christophe B...