14824 - Automated biodiversity surveying tools and methods Modulübersicht

Module Number: 14824
Module Title:Automated biodiversity surveying tools and methods
  Automatisierte Instrumente und Methoden zur Erfassung der biologischen Vielfalt
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Beckmann, Michael
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and methods of surveying different aspects of biodiversity.
- Apply key concepts of survey design to ecological studies.
- Apply AI tools (e.g. Birdnet) to automatically classify species from recordings

Practical learning outcomes 
- Design a biodiversity survey for a given taxa using automated monitoring tools, from setup through data collection and analysis to scientific presentation. 
- Give a presentation on the proposed biodiversity study, including a background on the chosen taxon and region and justification of the  experimental  design.
Contents:This course combines lectures and hands-on sessions (with automated monitoring devices such as Audiomoth and InsectDetect) in groups to provide a basic introduction to the different methods used to survey and monitor biodiversity. 
 These lectures and hands-on sessions introduce the students to the most common (and some emerging) methods to survey terrestrial biodiversity. This should provide students with a basic understanding of the methods they might use in future industrial (e.g. ecological consultancy) or research work. This includes methods such as audio recording of bats and birds, insect monitoring with pan traps and pitfall traps or camera trapping for larger mammals. The advantages, disadvantages and challenges of each method will be introduced. Practical examples using audio recorders (including deployment and data analysis) will be undertaken.
Recommended Prerequisites:Basic knowledge of ecology
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Practical training / 3 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours per Week per Semester
Teaching Materials and Literature:Teaching materials will be uploaded in Moodle. 
Scientific papers: 
A selection of scientific papers will be decided prior to course start. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2025.03.004
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295474
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2019.11.003
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11157
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00062.x 
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  1. continuous assessment of activities during class (50 %) ; 
    Regular in-class quizzes and/or reflections (appr. 10 minutes each time)
    Presentation of selected readings or practical activities conducted during the course.
  2. Final written exam, 90 min (50 %) 


Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:15
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Master (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
Remarks:None
Module Components:
  • 240323 Lecture: Biodiversity surveying tools and methods
  • 240324 Practical work: Biodiversity recording and analysis with Audiomoth and/or other tools.  Analysing audio (or other) data.
Components to be offered in the Current Semester: