EcoVibes measures biodiversity using forest sounds

With new technology, the founders of EcoVibes want to make it easier to measure biodiversity. The solution makes it easier to find and protect rare species, and to select the right areas for forestry and construction projects early on in the process.
"Inventorying with sound sensors, or 'bugging the forest,' is effective, safe, and does not disturb the environment being inventoried," says Christian Höök, one of the founders.

Inventorying biodiversity is an important but time-consuming process that forms the basis for important societal decisions. Until now, much of the work has been done on foot in the forest, but the team behind Örnsköldsvik-basedEcoVibeswants to change that.

The idea was born during a quiet moment in the forest when Christian Höök began to wonder how much life you can actually hear. Three years later, he and Mathias Kristoferqvist, both foresters and doctoral students atSLUin Umeå, have developed a first test product. EcoVibes software uses specially trained AI that can recognize the sounds of, for example, three-toed woodpeckers or capercaillies. The goal is to teach it a wide range of species, from singing birds to buzzing insects and rustling trees.

"With bioacoustics and data processing, we can create a powerful tool for determining which species are actually present in a given location. If you hear a three-toed woodpecker, then it's definitely there," says Christian.

Protecting and preserving biodiversity is a high priority in Swedish environmental policy, with the aim of ensuring long-term sustainable environments that can contribute economically, climatically, and in terms of species diversity for future generations. However, there is sometimes a conflict between the ambition to protect nature and the need to use it. EcoVibes hopes that their tools will provide more and better information about life in the forest, making it easier to plan land use from the outset.

"This type of product has been in demand for a long time! It can be used to improve processes in everything from forestry to large infrastructure projects. With reliable and detailed data, companies and authorities can plan better, reduce risk, and avoid late stops and costly delays, says Johan Vestberg, business developer atBizMaker, where EcoVibes recently joinedthe incubator program. Business Incubator.

Inventorying with EcoVibes technology has many advantages over traditional methods. Instead of inventoryers needing to be on site for long periods of time, sound boxes can be set up and collect data over time. During that time, the environment is not disturbed in the same way as with traditional measurement.

"Everyone we've talked to is positive about the technology, from forestry companies to the mining industry and government agencies," says Mathias.

To date, EcoVibes software has listened to over 2,700 hours of verified audio recordings to ensure quality, and the work continues. At the same time, the team is working to develop a standard for bioacoustic inventory and carry out its first test projects. The long-term goal is to build a unique knowledge bank that can be used to preserve biodiversity and contribute to better decision-making.

"We don't want to be just an analysis and reporting company. With all the data we'll be getting, we'll be like the Google of bioacoustics," concludes Mathias.