For three years, the University of Vienna and Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park researched the biodiversity of birds on Lake Neusiedl with the help of Huawei technology and artificial intelligence. The results were presented at an international event on Tuesday.
Vienna, October 9, 2024 – Lake Neusiedl is known for its extensive biodiversity, but influences such as climate change and the associated falling water levels have negative consequences. Three years ago, Huawei Austria, the University of Vienna and the “National Park Neusiedler See – Seewinkel” jointly started researching biodiversity in the reed belt of Lake Neusiedl as part of a “TECH4ALL” project. Acoustic devices, smart technologies and AI were used to analyze how the condition of the reeds affects the birds living in them.
Brand management can promote diversity
„Hardly any reeds have been harvested in recent decades, which has had a negative impact on the condition of the reed belt. The study examined whether targeted fires could have a similar effect to harvesting. For this purpose, areas that had different ages due to fires were compared with each other
“, explains Christian Schulze from the University of Vienna. More than 11.72 terabytes of sound files and 2,135,550 individual audio files were collected at 57 study locations using advanced audio equipment from Huawei. The artificial intelligence was able to distinguish 69 bird species in the reeds and gain important information about species richness and diversity in different reed areas.
„In fact, the studies have shown that older parts of reeds harbor the greatest diversity of bird species. The analysis of the individual species shows that controlled reed fires also have positive aspects. While, according to the new data, the lesser crake and the blackbird warbler prefer to breed in old reeds, other species such as the reed warbler or the bearded tit clearly prefer those areas in which the reeds were burned down on a large scale in 2002 or 2022 and then re-grew
“, explains Schulze. Many bird species would benefit from targeted fire management, which in turn could strengthen the overall diversity of Lake Neusiedl.
Bluethroat population is recovering
Of the 69 different bird species that the AI recognized in the reed belt, the most frequently recorded species are the reed warbler, the bearded tit and the reed bunting. This also corresponds to the conventional observations of ornithologists. But the analyzes also brought many new insights. There is positive news for one popular songbird species, while another species appears to have disappeared completely.
„For years we assumed that the number of bluethroats in the reeds of Lake Neusiedl had become significantly fewer. In fact, it has now turned out that the species has begun to heavily colonize the old reeds
“, says Schulze. On the other hand, the persistent drought meant that the Great Bittern completely avoided Lake Neusiedl. “However, we hope that the situation improved again last year and that the increased rainfall ensured a return. The analysis of our new data will show this
“, he points out that the research will continue.
AI increased accuracy significantly
The use of AI-powered sound analysis has significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of bird species identification compared to traditional methods. “Thanks to modern technology, we have the opportunity to generate significantly more data and, above all, for an unlimited period of time. At any time of the day or night and in any weather conditions, in which no researcher would normally have been in the reeds. In addition, we can analyze large areas simultaneously
“, says Harald Grabenhofer, head of department at the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park.
Further acoustic surveys will be conducted in 2024 to assess the impact of water level changes on bird populations. This research will feed into future nature conservation measures and ensure biodiversity in the reed ecosystem at Lake Neusiedl. Huawei’s commitment to the “TECH4ALL” project was recently honored with the nomination for the SDG Award, Austria’s most important sustainability award.
Five years of TECH4ALL
“TECH4ALL” is a Huawei initiative launched in 2019. It leverages technology and partnerships to make a positive impact in four areas: environment, education, health and development. In addition to the project on Lake Neusiedl, an AI-based filter system was developed in Norway to protect wild Atlantic salmon from possible extinction due to an invasive salmon species from the Pacific. Acoustic monitoring is also used in Poland to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the ecosystem of the Bial̸owieża National Park and its biodiversity and to take targeted conservation measures. In Greece and Cyprus, modern technology is used to prevent forest fires.
„Our goal is to advance digitalization worldwide and promote environmental protection through ‘TECH4ALL’. We are very pleased that we were able to present concrete results together with our partners in time for the fifth anniversary that have scientific added value for species protection. The fact that we were able to establish such a showcase project in Austria is particularly important to us as a company that has had strong local roots for many years
“, says Catharina Rieder, project manager at Huawei Austria. To date, over 400,000 people have benefited from the global technology company’s educational projects and, in the environmental sector, nature conservation projects have been implemented in 53 protected areas worldwide.