Conserving ecosystems is key to curbing climate change, and maintaining ecosystem services, which are closely linked to over 50% of the world’s GDP. Over 1 million species face the threat of extinction this century: however, selecting which areas to conserve is challenging with the existing data gap, which is biased towards observations in the global north. Increasing the amount of biodiversity data in the Global South is critical in the conservation of endangered species, found at high density in biodiversity hotspots in the Global South. Amphibians are ideal for acoustic identification due to their diverse vocalizations and are crucial ecosystem indicators (Estes-Zumpf et al., 2022), with over 40% of species at risk of extinction (Cañas et al., 2023). Increasing labeled data for the more than 7,000 amphibian species worldwide would enhance conservation efforts and reduce knowledge gaps in vulnerable ecosystems. By using a citizen science platform to aide in the mitigation of biodiversity loss, we help establish local environmental stewardship of these critical habitats.

Other citizen apps have shown the potential that citizen science has on mitigating biodiversity loss. eBird, the largest citizen science project related to biodiversity, has 100 million bird observations from users around the world. These observations help to "document the distribution, abundance, habitat use and bird trends through collected species list, within a simple scientific framework." (Sánchez-Clavijo et. al., 2024).  

iNaturalist, another citizen science app, that uses computer vision algorithms for species identification, has also proven successful in mitigating biodiversity loss. To date, the app has over 200,000,000 observations, with 6 million observations per month, globally. On iNaturalist, research-grade observations are shared with GBIF, which in turn uses that knowledge for policy decisions, research, and community building (GBIF, 2023). 

Currently, our app identifies 71 species of frogs and toads, worldwide. Though many of them are identified as least concern (LC) under the IUCN, we do have one IUCN endangered species, the Southern Bell Frog (Ranoidea raniformis). This lack of threatened species included, underscores the need for diverse practitioners to participate in bioacoustic ecological monitoring. Increasing data points on vulnerable species can serve to inform policy decisions using data-driven insights. 

Process of drawing up a gradient of biodiversity and speleological heritage to mining, which reflects increasing levels of vulnerability of conservation targets. We used Systematic Conservation Planning tools and concepts such as complementarity, representativeness, efficiency, irreplaceability, and vulnerability to generate the information behind the sensitivity of biodiversity. The biodiversity sensitivity map summarizes information on the components of biodiversity and geodiversity that are sensitive to the impacts of mineral exploration activities, such as their biological and ecological characteristics and the landscape factors that influence their distribution. In addition, a list of conservation targets is generated with the components of biodiversity and geodiversity that are eligible as conservation targets because they are sensitive to the chronic and acute impacts of mining. The targets could become even more vulnerable if preventive and impact mitigation measures were not adopted. Its realization depends on the systematization and construction of a wide variety of information on species, environmental variables and land use. It is a collaborative process that requires the participation of specialists and researchers to gather and validate the results.It is also the stage in which more information generated from the assessment of the risk of extinction of fauna species produced by ICMBio and Flora, under the responsibility of the Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora (CNCFlora)  are incorporated into the tool. From this perspective, the process is a clear example of the application of scientific and participatory knowledge together with government management information around a common objective of environmental conservation and impact mitigation.

This gender integration in conservation initiative centers on the essential goal of embedding gender analysis into every aspect of conservation project planning, implementation, and evaluation. This approach ensures that the roles, needs, and aspirations of women, particularly in the context of natural resource management and ecosystem restoration in rural areas, are recognized and adequately addressed. A key component of this initiative is providing targeted training for women in sustainable practices that boost household food security but also foster environmental stewardship.

Furthermore, women are empowered to take on leadership roles within conservation activities, allowing them to act as community leaders, educators, and advocates for sustainable resource management. This empowerment extends to increasing women's participation in decision-making processes, particularly in contexts where resource management decisions impact both their livelihoods and local ecosystems. By facilitating their engagement in local governance structures, women can articulate their needs and priorities, ensuring that conservation strategies are inclusive and equitable.

In addition to their leadership roles, women can play a critical part in reducing human-wildlife conflicts, particularly with jaguars in the Cerrado. Recognizing the importance of community-based approaches, women often serve as mediators between local communities and conservation goals. By sharing their knowledge of sustainable land-use practices, they can help design strategies that minimize encounters with jaguars, such as through the use of “jaguar-proof” livestock enclosures or the diversification of crop livelihood strategies that attract fewer predators. Specific attention is also given to the role of women in restoration activities, acknowledging their essential contributions to implementing effective restoration techniques. By integrating women’s perspectives into restoration efforts, communities can enhance biodiversity recovery while also promoting social equity.

The collaborative land management planning initiative is designed to create comprehensive land management plans aimed at conserving jaguar habitats while considering the livelihoods of local communities. This initiative emphasizes participatory processes that actively involve all relevant stakeholders, including local community members, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and wildlife conservation experts. Through a series of interactive workshops, participants are encouraged to share their insights and preferences regarding land use, conservation priorities, and resource management strategies. These workshops serve as platforms for gathering input while also promoting awareness of the critical importance of jaguar conservation within the broader ecosystem.

Central to this planning process is the inclusion of biodiversity assessments, which systematically evaluate the ecological health of the area, focusing particularly on jaguar populations and their habitats. Additionally, socio-economic factors—such as agricultural practices, local economic dependencies, and cultural values—are carefully considered to ensure that the land management plan is both ecologically and socially equitable. This approach seeks to establish a harmonious coexistence between jaguar habitats and sustainable economic activities like ecotourism and responsible agriculture. To ensure the effectiveness and longevity of these land management strategies, a multi-stakeholder committee will be established, comprised of representatives from all involved groups. This committee fosters ongoing dialogue and provides a mechanism for adapting the management plans as environmental and social conditions evolve. Through regular meetings and communication channels, stakeholders can collaboratively address emerging challenges, share successes, and make adjustments to enhance both jaguar conservation and community well-being.

The ecotourism development initiative focuses on creating sustainable opportunities that center on the jaguar, alongside a diverse array of local biodiversity. This initiative unfolds through the establishment of eco-lodges and guided tours specifically designed to highlight the unique habitats of jaguars while also showcasing the rich array of other wildlife, including various bird species and medium to large mammals native to the Cerrado region. Visitors can participate in responsible wildlife viewing that is carefully orchestrated to minimize human impact while maximizing the chances of spotting these elusive big cats in their natural environment.

Educational workshops emphasize the importance of jaguar conservation and its role in maintaining the ecological balance within the ecosystem. These workshops engage tourists through interactive learning experiences covering topics such as tracking methods, habitat preservation, and the significance of jaguars as apex predators in the food chain. Additionally, cultural experiences that connect tourists with local rural communities illuminate traditional practices and stories related to wildlife and land stewardship, enriching the visitor experience and fostering a deeper appreciation for the region’s natural heritage.

To enhance visibility in the global ecotourism market, the marketing strategies focus on promoting the unique natural and cultural attractions of the Cerrado biome, particularly the opportunity to witness large mammals and birds in their habitat. Targeted campaigns highlight the importance of responsible tourism, encouraging eco-conscious travelers—both domestic and international—to partake in eco-friendly travel practices, thus ensuring the tourism ventures not only bring in revenue but also directly contribute to local conservation efforts.

This building block emphasizes the transformative role of technology in the monitoring of wildlife populations and their habitats, with a particular focus on jaguars. Given that jaguars are apex predators and integral to the health of their ecosystems, understanding their movement patterns and habitat use is critical for effective conservation strategies. Utilizing advanced tools such as camera traps, drones and remote sensing technologies, conservationists can gather high-resolution data on jaguar behaviors and interactions within their habitats. Camera traps strategically positioned in key territories provide valuable insights into jaguar populations, allowing for real-time tracking of individual movements, breeding patterns, and territorial dynamics. This information is particularly valuable as it aids in assessing the impacts of environmental changes, human encroachment, and poaching on these elusive big cats.

In addition to camera trapping, remote sensing technology contributes to a holistic view of habitat conditions by measuring changes in land use, vegetation cover, and landscape connectivity over time. When combined, these data sources form a comprehensive picture that assists in understanding the effects of climate change and anthropogenic influences on jaguar habitats. Furthermore, the monitoring program actively incorporates citizen science by training local community members to use mobile applications for reporting jaguar sightings and contributing to data collection. This participatory approach not only enriches the data pool but also fosters a sense of ownership among locals, making them key stakeholders in conservation efforts. The aggregated data serves as a foundation for adaptive management strategies aimed at enhancing habitat connectivity, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and targeting specific conservation actions to protect jaguar populations and their ecosystems.

This building block emphasizes the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs tailored specifically for local communities. The core focus is on wildlife conservation strategies, habitat preservation, and effective conflict mitigation techniques that are vital for both community and ecological health. The training program consists of multiple modules that delve into various critical aspects of conservation. For instance, participants explore specific approaches to jaguar conservation, examining the significance of this apex predator in maintaining ecosystem balance. Workshops cover jaguar behavior, the ecological role of jaguars in controlling prey populations, and identifying key habitats and corridors that facilitate safe wildlife movement.

Participants also receive practical training on sustainable agricultural practices that minimize habitat encroachment and livestock predation. For example, integrating agroforestry techniques can help create a buffer zone around jaguar habitats by planting shade trees alongside cash crops, thus encouraging biodiversity and providing alternative livelihoods for local farmers. The program address non-lethal conflict resolution techniques, such as employing guard animals, installing protective fencing, and launching community awareness campaigns promoting coexistence with wildlife. Hands-on activities include monitoring wildlife populations through camera traps, data collection, and field trips to conservation sites, along with participatory mapping of local resources crucial for effective conservation strategies.

Relevant ecological processes and incidents that are of interest in environmental change research typically occur in remote areas beyond the reach of terrestrial communication infrastructures. Data generated in the field using animal tags in these regions can often only be transmitted with a delay of days or even weeks. To overcome this delay and ensure no delay in the early-warning system, GAIA develops a satellite communication module for the tags as well as a nanosatellite operating in low earth orbit (LEO): In order to be able to transmit collected data and information directly from the transmitting node to the LEO satellite (Low Earth Orbit), a high-performance satellite IoT radio module will be integrated into the new tags. This guarantees immediate, secure and energy-efficient transmission of the extracted data. The communication system is based on the terrestrial mioty® technology and will be adapted to satellite-typical frequency bands such as L- and S-band for the project. Typical communication protocols, which are sometimes used in the IoT sector, are usually designed for small packet sizes. Further development of the mioty® system will therefore also aim to increase the data rate and message size to enable application scenarios such as image transmissions.

To meet the goal of the GAIA Initiative to develop and put into practice a high-tech early-warning system for environmental changes, a new generation of animal tags is a key component. GAIA teams are working on the hardware and software development of miniaturized animal tags with lowest-power sensor technology with camera and image processing. The tags will be energy-autonomous, optimally adapted to the anatomy of vultures and are the basis for further technological features under development such as on-board artificial intelligences for behaviour detection and image recognition as well as a satellite-based IoT communication system.

Additionally, GAIA is developing concepts of distributed artificial intelligence and networks of micro-processors – animal tags that act just like a swarm. Analogous to natural swarm intelligence, the GAIA initiative is mapping digital swarm intelligence in an ad hoc network of microprocessors. These spontaneously forming networks are the foundation for distributed and sensor-based analysis of large amounts of data. Following this path will make it possible for vulture tags, for example, that are present at the same location during feeding events, to link and share tasks such as artificial intelligence analyses and data transmission.

In order to increase resilience to climate change, coffee farming households need the knowledge and skills to apply regenerative agricultural practices that can increase biodiversity, enrich soil health, improve watersheds, and enhance ecosystem services.

Nespresso’s AAA Sustainable Quality Program empowers coffee farmers through three pillars: coffee quality, farm productivity, and social and environmental sustainability. Improvements in these areas can boost farmers’ financial security while also helping their communities and protecting nature.

From July 2022 to April 2024, AAA agronomists — nearly half of them women — delivered monthly lessons to small, self-selected focal farmer groups of roughly 25 coffee farming households. Modules included a wide range of relevant topics, including regenerative agricultural topics (Coffee Pruning and Rejuvenation, Soil Health, Coffee Planting, and Shade Management and Climate Change), household nutrition topics (Nutrition Basics, and Establishment and Planting of Kitchen Gardens), and gender equality topics. With the establishment of demonstration plots, farmers learned through this hands-on, field-based training.