By Peter Witten and Dorte Larsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Nature holds many mysteries and relationships that we humans have yet to uncover. Things that can have great significance for our own future.

If you are on Facebook or Instagram, you are connected to others in social networks. Zooming in on nature, there are close, biological networks. Complex and sensitive networks between animals and plants that also matter to us humans.

Flowers and bees

Take, for example, flowers and bees. They are deeply dependent on each other and live together in biological networks. The bee ensures the pollination of the flower.

But what happens if these natural networks change, if insect species go extinct? Perhaps because there is not enough wild nature, or due to climate change.

A new interdisciplinary research project from Aalborg University - AI:EcoNet - will now use artificial intelligence to map the many biological networks. And predict what happens if the interaction between animals and plants changes or breaks.

Future protection

The project is led by biologist and associate professor Michael Ørsted from the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience together with AI expert and assistant professor Abdulkadir Çelikkanat, Department of Computer Science. They will develop AI models that can predict the consequences of climate change for ecosystems and society.

The aim is to develop an analytical tool for decision-makers and nature organizations to support decisions on future nature protection.

Small insects - big consequences

For even though it may seem insignificant to many of us if a small insect species disappears, it can potentially have major consequences for us in the long run.

For example, it can affect the pollination of agricultural areas and thus food production.

"One thing is to be concerned about a species going extinct. But if you do not have an overview of its biological network, you underestimate the consequences of the species' extinction," says Michael Ørsted.

Critical events

"Animals and plants interact in complex networks and support each other in important functions such as seed dispersal and pollination. When the climate changes and habitats disappear, these relationships can break. Our project aims to predict critical events and promote solutions to upcoming environmental problems," he explains.

AI used in new ways

Assistant professor Abdulkadir Çelikkanat has extensive experience in using machine learning to model complex networks and relational structures. In the project, graph machine learning and generative models will be used.

"In the project, I look forward to developing new AI models that go beyond just adapting existing methods from social networks to finance. As far as I know, this is the first time AI is being used to map complex biological systems, so it will be exciting," he emphasizes.

AI:EcoNet is one of five new so-called AI:X Labs started by Aalborg University to promote AI research.