Ecology as a Science of Functional Roles - Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Newswise — Millions of people worldwide, likely without realizing it, are capturing rare and valuable data that can help researchers assess trends in ecosystem health. Such data, however, are hidden in an ocean of comments on free online platforms like eBird and iNaturalist used by birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts. A new study led by the University of Michigan has shown that artificial intelligence can help researchers identify comments with pertinent data, then extract and categorize the information to build robust datasets. In this proof-of-concept study, the team found evidence of non-native plant species creeping into ecosystems along America's West Coast that might have been otherwise missed. "The potential here is really big," said Hengxing Zou, the lead author of the study who performed the work as a postdoctoral scholar in the U-M Institute for Global Change Biology. "The approach is really versatile and we have a lot of data out there basically waiting to be mined. "The work was supported in part by federal funding from the U. S. National Science Foundation and the U. S.

A single snow goose (Anser caerulescens) feeds with a group of Canada geese (Branta canadensis). This mixed-flock represents a type of interaction that is mutually beneficial and often recorded in comments of participatory science platforms like eBird. Credit must be given to Jing-Yi Lu, who retains copyright of this image. Jing-Yi Lu has granted permission to any media outlet covering the Zou et al. 2026 study permission to reproduce this photograph in connection with that story, including in print and online, at no charge.