{"id":57567,"date":"2026-04-29T16:33:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eramet.com\/?p=57567"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:47:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:47:40","slug":"ai-for-biodiversity-a-groundbreaking-case-study-in-gabon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eramet.com\/en\/news\/ai-for-biodiversity-a-groundbreaking-case-study-in-gabon\/","title":{"rendered":"AI for Biodiversity: A Groundbreaking Case Study in Gabon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Awarded in the 2024\u20132025 edition of Eramet\u2019s Open Innovation Biodiversity Challenge<\/a>, British start-ups Mozaic Earth<\/strong> and Gentian<\/strong> conducted a field case study in Gabon. The objective: to test, under real-world conditions, AI-based biodiversity assessment solutions designed to provide reliable ecological indicators of ecosystem health.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two complementary areas of expertise serving biodiversity<\/h2>\n

The two start-ups combined the best of their expertise. Gentian leverages its capabilities in high-resolution satellite data analysis and drone<\/strong> imagery to train an artificial intelligence model that assesses habitats at scale. Meanwhile, Mozaic Earth has developed an online platform to centralize, visualize, and analyze species present in a given environment using all types of data collected via drones, satellites, or ground photography.<\/p>\n

As part of the case study, a sample of collected data was validated by ecologists, with support from the National Herbarium of Gabon, ensuring reliable species identification and AI model training.<\/p>\n

The uniqueness of this solution lies in the combination of aerial data and field observations. Whereas previously tested solutions relied on a single type of data\u2014with limitations either in scientific validation or large-scale coverage\u2014this approach leverages the strengths of each method.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/lite-youtube><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Discover testimonials from the teams involved in the project<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

A field test in Gabon<\/h2>\n

Conducted between September and December 2025, in close collaboration with Eramet Comilog and the L\u00e9k\u00e9di Biodiversity Foundation, the study covered five plots: two within the Foundation in Bakoumba (one natural savanna plot and one regenerating savanna) and three in Moanda, representing different stages of post-mining rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

Gentian collected and processed satellite data<\/strong>, complemented by drone imagery<\/strong> offering the resolution needed for species identification. At the same time, Mozaic Earth conducted ground photo campaigns<\/strong> with local teams trained to use its platform.<\/p>\n

A \u201cGoogle Earth\u201d for biodiversity<\/h2>\n

All collected data were integrated into a platform comparable to a \u201cGoogle Earth\u201d for biodiversity<\/strong>. It enables users to navigate across studied sites and overlay different layers of information such as species inventories and biodiversity indicators.<\/p>\n

To assess the ecological condition of the plots, the start-ups relied on recognized environmental standards<\/strong>, particularly the Wallacea Trust<\/strong> methodology. This approach makes it possible to evaluate and compare the relative ecological quality of the studied plots, identify their vulnerabilities, and monitor their evolution over time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>