FAIR Data and Models in Biodiversity Digital Twins

Digital twins are revolutionising the utilisation of research data, presenting a transformative tool for biodiversity monitoring and conservation decision-making. This presentation introduces the EU-funded BioDT project (2022-2025), dedicated to developing prototypes that seamlessly integrate diverse datasets, models, high-performance computing, and expert domain knowledge. These prototypes empower predictive capabilities, facilitate rigorous testing of model performance, and provide decision support for critical biodiversity issues. The BioDT project exemplifies the application of FAIR principles and FAIR Digital Objects in constructing prototype Digital Twins, fostering collaboration, and ensuring data and model interoperability across various research infrastructures (DiSSCo, eLTER, GBIF, and LifeWatch). This collective effort signifies a pivotal step towards unlocking the full potential of Digital Twins in biodiversity research. In alignment with the Destination Earth initiative, a collective European goal, interoperability takes centre stage. Numerous digital twin projects, also including the Green Deal Data Space and other similar initiatives, recognise the importance of collaboration in achieving shared objectives. The collaborative spirit inherent in these initiatives emphasises the broader impact of Digital Twins, setting the stage for an integrated and collective approach to advancing biodiversity research and conservation decision-making.