The EU is testing predictive technologies to protect biodiversity, with operational results in Romania
Brussels, November 24, 2025 - A project funded by Horizon Europe has developed the first digital tools capable of anticipating the risks of biodiversity loss and allowing interventions before ecosystems reach critical points. NATURE-FIRST, coordinated by the Dutch organization Sensing Clues, is already operational in pilot areas in Romania, Spain, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
In the context of the ongoing decline of biodiversity in Europe despite conservation policies, the NATURE-FIRST project has created a set of tools designed for field use, not just in laboratories. Mixed teams of ecologists, data specialists, and rangers have developed solutions for early detection of risks, using real-time monitoring, mobile applications for reporting, forensic kits for wildlife crimes, and an integrated data platform.
The main objective is to shift to a proactive intervention model based on indicators that can anticipate habitat degradation or behavioral changes in species.
One of the central innovations of the project is the use of digital models, the so-called "digital twins," which replicate real ecosystems and allow for the anticipation of species behavior based on environmental conditions. These simulations enable the early identification of risks, from habitat degradation to sudden changes in animal mobility, providing conservation teams with the necessary time to intervene before threats become irreversible.
Among the developed tools is a model dedicated to sturgeons, built on data about river morphology and water levels, a Human-Bear Conflict Radar system that estimates the likelihood of human-bear interactions, as well as a Crane Migration Radar that anticipates changes in bird migration routes. All these models are integrated into the Sensing Clues platform, which brings together information from sensors, satellite images, and field observations into a single operational panel, easy to use by researchers and rangers.
A notable result is the operational use of the sturgeon model in the Danube Delta by Romanian researchers, who use it to monitor the evolution of one of the most vulnerable species in the region. Additionally, Maramureș has been included as a testing area for solutions regarding human-wildlife conflicts, and the generated data is used in planning local conservation measures.
Furthermore, the project has introduced training in forensic techniques for rangers, to secure evidence in cases of poaching or other wildlife crimes.
Unlike many research projects, NATURE-FIRST has integrated market testing from the very beginning. The Sensing Clues platform is already available in a freemium model, so teams with limited resources can use essential tools. According to the coordinators, the system is fully functional and used in the field, supporting the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, part of the European Green Deal.
The results of the project were presented in June at the final conference, where partners discussed the expansion of predictive tools to other protected areas in the Union. Interested member states can integrate the platform into their national conservation strategies, and the Commission considers the project a direct contribution to strengthening European capacity to respond to biodiversity risks.
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