In the depths of the Mediterranean and the African savannas, scientists are fighting biodiversity loss with innovations ranging from environmental DNA to the “internet of animals“.
Alicia de Longeville, a French marine biologist, dives into Corsican waters with a mission: to detect the elusive angel shark using environmental DNA, a species declared extinct in the Mediterranean.
Her work is part of a global effort where technologies such as artificial intelligence, solar transmitters, and recognition algorithms are allied against the sixth mass extinction, driven by humans and threatening two million species.
Environmental DNA: a revolution in marine biology
While filtering 30 liters of seawater with a vacuum pump, Longeville explains: “We are the scientific police of biodiversity. We use forensic techniques to detect species.” The method, similar to COVID-19 PCR tests, allows the identification of organisms through genetic traces.
Three months later, the laboratory confirms the impossible: traces of the angel shark in two samples. “It’s a revolution: now we can protect what we rediscovered,” she states.
This finding reinforces that 90% of marine life remains unstudied. “Environmental DNA is key for cryptic species like the angel shark, which camouflages in sandy bottoms,” highlights Longeville. Her team also detected black groupers and seabreams, indicators of healthy areas.
The “internet of animals”: global real-time monitoring
In Namibia, biologist Martin Wikelski places 18-gram transmitters on eland antelope ears. These unique devices in the world send movement data, temperature, and humidity to the MoveBank platform in three seconds. “It’s like an activity tracker for animals,” he explains. The information helps combat poaching and understand migrations.
Wikelski, from the Max Planck Institute, already monitors 35,000 animals with 6 billion GPS points. “This data serves as an early warning system for outbreaks or earthquakes,” he assures. His vision: an “internet of animals” predicting natural phenomena like a weather forecast.
Artificial intelligence against wind turbine collisions in Germany
As Germany expands its wind energy, the white-tailed eagle —an emblematic species— faces lethal collisions with turbines. The Identiflight system, tested in Schleswig-Holstein, uses eight cameras and AI to identify birds at 750 meters. If they enter a critical radius, the blades stop.
“The accuracy is 99%,” confirms Hendrik Reers, an ornithologist who validated the technology. In tests, the system detected a sea eagle at 994 meters and stopped virtual turbines 40 times a day. “It’s military technology adapted: it never gets tired or distracted,” emphasizes Carlos Jorge, project engineer.
Wildbook: algorithms saving reticulated giraffes
In Kenya, computer scientist Tania Berger-Bölph fights the 50% reduction of reticulated giraffes in 30 years. With her Wildbook platform, she uploads 1,200 photos taken by volunteers. The algorithms analyze unique spot patterns —like fingerprints— to identify individuals.
“In two days, we recorded 33 new giraffes,” she celebrates. The tool, used in 70 species, geolocates specimens and tracks movements. “Without AI, this analysis would take months,” admits Simon Makau, a local collaborator. The data already reveals critical cross-border migrations essential for their protection.
Towards a global biodiversity monitoring system with environmental DNA
From French laboratories to African reserves, scientists demonstrate that technology can reverse the crisis. Wikelski sums it up: “We used to destroy ecosystems with technology; now we use it to preserve life.” With advancements like underwater PCR and animal Big Data, a network of hope is woven against the loss of 150 species daily.
As Longeville asserts: “Generating knowledge is the seed to protect the sea. If it’s not known, it’s not defended.” The scientific revolution is already underway.
