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The role of AI in biodiversity conservation

16 October 2024 | Knowledge, News

Recent UN research[1] indicates that human activities have resulted in the emergence of 37,000 alien species, 3,500 of which are invasive, with negative impacts costing the economy more than USD 400 billion.

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are not native to ecosystems and can cause serious environmental or economic damage, as well as adverse effects on human health. They cause the extinction of plants and animals due to the lack of natural enemies and very good conditions for reproduction and development.

Biodiversity conservation targets

At the international level,[2] UN Member States have committed to working towards the sustainable use of biodiversity, including the preservation of habitats and the restoration of ecosystems and endangered species.

The European Union,[3] has adopted targets to restore natural resources and combat invasive alien species by 2030 as part of its efforts to protect biodiversity, including:

  • A 50% reduction in the number of Red List species
  • A 50% reduction in the use of pesticides
  • Placing 25% of agricultural land under organic farming management

Conserving biodiversity is a global challenge

The EU defines an invasive alien species as an alien species whose introduction or spread has been found to threaten or adversely impact upon biodiversity and related ecosystem services[4], and has identified 84 such species.[5]

However, this list is not exhaustive, as it does not include, for example, the expansive Canadian goldenrod, which is causing a decline in pollinator abundance.

EU legislation to combat invasive alien species has introduced restrictions in the so-called export chain, according to which alien species are not be allowed to be:

  • Brought into the territory of the EU
  • Kept
  • Bred
  • Placed on the market
  • Used or exchanged
  • Permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated
  • Released into the environment

In an increasingly globalised world striving for sustainability, the importance of protecting the environment, including ecosystems and biodiversity, is growing. Artificial intelligence can assist these processes.

The role of AI in combating invasive alien species

AI can play an important role in preventing the appearance of invasive alien species in the EU by monitoring areas particularly vulnerable to their spread.

If they are found, Member States may take emergency measures to remove these species from the EU. Member States are required to implement surveillance systems to control the spread of invasive alien species on land and at sea. The surveillance system should “be sufficiently dynamic to detect rapidly the appearance in the environment of the territory or part of the territory of a Member State of any invasive alien species of Union concern”.

AI as a tool to support the development of green renewable energy

The application of rapidly developing AI in systems for protection against invasive alien species could significantly increase the effectiveness of surveillance and the identification of threats associated with the spread of invasive species.

New digital technologies are enabling the implementation of advanced modelling and digital analytics.

However, it should be remembered that the concept of using AI as an environmentally and climate-friendly tool depends on reducing the emissions generated by data centres.[6] And this in turn implies the need to urgently develop electrification based on the use of renewable energy sources (RES).

There is also a growing relationship between RES technologies and biodiversity conservation, including the protection of native flora and fauna species. An increase in biodiversity is observed in areas where RES installations are located, for example due to the so-called shadow effect in the case of photovoltaic (PV) systems or air humidification in the case of hybrid PV systems in the agro-hydro PV model. Given the need for intelligent tools to control RES energy generation (metering and billing systems), correlating such systems with an AI system supports the surveillance and analysis of risk factors for biodiversity loss.

The role of AI in biodiversity conservation

The aim of the AI Act[7] is to facilitate the use of AI to improve the functioning of the internal market, while respecting the principle of no harm to the environment.

AI is to be used, inter alia, in cases of environmental emergencies, where the competent national authority will be able to authorise the use of high-risk AI.

The AI Act also allows for the processing of personal data in so-called regulatory sandboxes, in order to safeguard the public interest in areas such as:

  • A high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment
  • Protection of biodiversity
  • Protection against pollution
  • Green transition measures
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation measures

AI can therefore significantly enhance efforts to protect the environment, including the conservation of biodiversity and protection against invasive alien species.

Source: terazsrodowisko.pl

Date: 26.09.2024

Any questions? Contact us

Aleksandra Pinkas

Natalia Kotłowska-Wochna

 

[1] Invasive Alien Species Assessment report (2023)

[2] Convention on Biological Diversity, done at Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 (Journal of Laws 2002, No. 184, item 1532)

[3] EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 Bringing nature back to our lives (COM/2020/380 final)

[4] Article 3(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council

[5] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016

[6] Shaping Europe’s digital future (COM/2020/67 final)

[7] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council

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Contact us:

Natalia Kotłowska-Wochna

Natalia Kotłowska-Wochna

Attorney-at-Law / Partner/ New Tech, IP, Trade & Logistics Practice Group / Head of New Tech M&A

+48 606 689 185

n.kotlowska@kochanski.pl