Recognizing all Dutch species – in every conceivable way. Starting next week, everyone can utilize ARISE, the research facility that makes this possible.
Infrastructurefor researchers
Intelligent birdhouses that track what the chicks have been fed. Microphones that send messages about the animal sounds they've heard. A DNA database capable of identifying tens of thousands of Dutch species by their genetic material. All of this – and much more – is ARISE, the research infrastructure that knows and recognizes all Dutch species.
Speciesrecognition
If you are working on something where it is important to be able to name species, a new tool will be available starting Tuesday, November 11. Whether you are a species specialist wanting to know if you have discovered a new species, an ecologist seeking to map the biodiversity in an area, or a computer scientist aiming to build smarter AI for species recognition; ARISE is for you.
Naturein crisis
Starting Tuesday, anyone can log into the platform and utilize its capabilities for DNA, sensor management, AI species recognition, and more. ‘There is a crisis in nature,’ says Programme Manager Elaine van Ommen Kloeke, ‘and if we want to address it, we need the best possible information about which species occur where. Thanks to ARISE, that information can be obtained: we are making biodiversity measurable with the latest technology; almost real-time and on a large scale.’
Building blockfor more
For Naturalis, the launch of ARISE is an important milestone. ‘It is the first step in our ambition to map out the entire Dutch nature,’ explains Naturalis’ Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Vincent Merckx. ‘Our other work, such as measuring DNA traces in soil, water, and air, or a network for automated nature monitoring, builds upon this foundation.’
Indispensablehelp
The chief investigator of ARISE, Prof. Dr. Koos Biesmeijer, emphasizes the indispensable role of volunteers in the realization of the infrastructure. ‘Our DNA library would not have existed without the almost two hundred experts who helped us collect the species. Our AI for sounds works because people from all over the world recorded sounds, and Naturalis's species image recognition is world class because a small army of volunteers helps with the validation. The Netherlands is blessed with so many people willing to commit to knowledge of nature.’
More information
This is a press release from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, also on behalf of the University of Amsterdam, the University of Twente, and the Westerdijk Institute for fungal biodiversity. The construction of ARISE is a joint project of these institutions, funded by the National Roadmap for Large-Scale Scientific Infrastructures of NWO.
The images above and additional film and photo material can be found in this press folder. They may be used free of charge, but only with mention of the credits listed in the filename.
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