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Research & Innovation
In BIOTA we always search for innovative solutions to increase efficiency and data quality. Within this scope, bridging academic knowledge with technical consultancy is an interesting challenge that BIOTA cherishes, through participation in research projects and activities, for instance in what concerns species management plans and methodological improvements.
BIOTA recognizes the increasing benefits of using solutions ever more technological and takes advantage of the best available technologies in the market. Our partnership with Innovation Makers, an IT company, developed innovative solutions such as BIOTA Animal Finder.
Among the services we provide, several technologies stand out: camera trapping, acoustic bat detection, radar, telemetry, electrofishing, GIS and drones. BIOTA applies these services in a wide range of activity areas, such as environmental impact assessments, wildlife mortality avoidance, training and environmental education, investigation, and mitigation & offsets.
Projects
MUSSELFLOW – Evolution, Ecology and Conservation of Host-Dependent Freshwater Mussels
BIOTA's Client: FCiências.ID
Final Client: FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Start Date: 2018
Completion Date: 2018
Description of the project: Research project with the participation of several entities, including the University of Évora, ISPA and the University of Coimbra. The main activities included: - Testing the impacts of hydraulic conditions on juvenile freshwater mussels, requiring captive breeding, experimental design, and simulation of different flow and substrate regimes in a controlled environment; - Mapping mussel populations through in situ measurements, surveys, and GIS analysis; - Hydrological study of watercourses, using drones to measure surface flow and water velocity through thermography, followed by data analysis; - Dissemination of results and publication of scientific articles.
SAFArI – Intelligent Camera Trapping System
BIOTA's Client: Centro2020 / Portugal2020 / União Europeia – FEDER
Final Client: Centro2020 / Portugal2020 / União Europeia – FEDER
Start Date: 2019
Completion Date: 2023
Description of the project: Development of software for the intelligent processing of wildlife images obtained from various sources (e.g. camera trapping, drones), based on deep learning algorithms. Depending on the model, the software enables: • Detection and counting of animals; • Species identification; • Behaviour analysis (spatial use, feeding habits, interactions with other species, among others). Although the funded phase has been completed, the project is still under development, with continuous improvements and the integration of new functionalities.
GAIA – Centralised Platform for Biodiversity Consultancy Services
Start Date: 2024
Completion Date: Ongoing
Description of the project: The Gaia project aims to develop an innovative tool to support biodiversity consultancy studies, by streamlining and automating the processes involved in biodiversity assessments, making use of advances in natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics.
SDG Zebra – Zebra Mussel Detection and Management Systems
Start Date: 2024
Completion Date: Ongoing
Description of the project: The SDG Zebra project aims to optimise and develop effective early detection protocols in the Atlantic basins of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as to design action plans for the early eradication of the species. At a more advanced stage of the project, the objective is to initiate the design of innovative products to prevent the attachment and/or enable the removal of zebra mussels from various types of structures.
Headquarters
ABC-Apoio de Base à Criatividade
Convento de São Miguel das Gaeiras
2510-718 Gaeiras
Portugal
Office
Rua Carlos Ramos, n.º 9 A
Urbanização Jardim da Amoreira
2620-529 Ramada
Portugal
