Multispecies deep learning using citizen science data produces more informative plant community models.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_59DBBD804FD3
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Multispecies deep learning using citizen science data produces more informative plant community models.
Journal
Nature communications
Author(s)
Brun P., Karger D.N., Zurell D., Descombes P., de Witte L.C., de Lutio R., Wegner J.D., Zimmermann N.E.
ISSN
2041-1723 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
2041-1723
Publication state
Published
Issued date
24/05/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
15
Number
1
Pages
4421
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
In the age of big data, scientific progress is fundamentally limited by our capacity to extract critical information. Here, we map fine-grained spatiotemporal distributions for thousands of species, using deep neural networks (DNNs) and ubiquitous citizen science data. Based on 6.7 M observations, we jointly model the distributions of 2477 plant species and species aggregates across Switzerland with an ensemble of DNNs built with different cost functions. We find that, compared to commonly-used approaches, multispecies DNNs predict species distributions and especially community composition more accurately. Moreover, their design allows investigation of understudied aspects of ecology. Including seasonal variations of observation probability explicitly allows approximating flowering phenology; reweighting predictions to mirror cover-abundance allows mapping potentially canopy-dominant tree species nationwide; and projecting DNNs into the future allows assessing how distributions, phenology, and dominance may change. Given their skill and their versatility, multispecies DNNs can refine our understanding of the distribution of plants and well-sampled taxa in general.
Keywords
Deep Learning, Citizen Science, Switzerland, Plants, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Seasons, Models, Biological
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
14/06/2024 13:08
Last modification date
15/06/2024 6:03
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