BioClima contributed to the 14th Chinese–German Workshop on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, held 2–4 December 2025 in Bonn, Germany, under the theme “From Environmental and Earth Observation to Policy: Integrated Monitoring for Biodiversity and Climate.” The workshop brought together experts from Germany, China and across Europe to exchange the latest approaches in environmental monitoring, Earth observation, and policy-relevant reporting for biodiversity and climate objectives.

A long-standing EU–China dialogue on biodiversity and climate monitoring

The event is part of a series of Sino-German workshops held regularly since 2008, forming a key pillar of bilateral cooperation between the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES). This year’s focus centred on effective, integrated monitoring that combines environmental and Earth observation techniques, explores the role of artificial intelligence, and addresses data compilation and reporting challenges linked to international goals, including the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and the Paris Agreement.

The workshop opened with contributions from senior representatives of BfN and CRAES and continued with thematic sessions on:

  • Setting the scene for integrated biodiversity–climate monitoring in Germany, China and beyond
  • Practical uses of Earth observation for biodiversity and climate applications
  • AI-enabled monitoring, including machine-learning methods and novel sensing modalities
  • The future of monitoring and reporting in the context of the KM-GBF and national implementation needs

BioClima: strengthening integrated monitoring through GeoAI and data fusion

Within the programme, Tomas Mildorf (University of West Bohemia in Pilsen) presented BioClima’s approach in the session on improving monitoring for integrated climate and biodiversity action. The presentation positioned AI-driven Earth observation as a catalyst for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation, combining remote sensing, in situ information and predictive analytics to support data-informed decisions and international collaboration.

From monitoring pipelines to decision support

BioClima’s workshop contribution highlighted how integrated monitoring can move beyond fragmented datasets toward operational, policy-relevant intelligence. The project’s objectives span:

  • Integrated observational systems combining Earth observation and environmental datasets
  • Data fusion and analytical modelling, including AI/ML methods
  • Monitoring through Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), with emphasis on vulnerable ecosystems
  • Identifying and implementing nature-based and technological solutions that maximise synergies between biodiversity and climate goals
  • Generating evidence-based recommendations and scaling insights from local use cases to European relevance
  • Strengthening EU–China cooperation through communication, dissemination, and capacity building

The presentation also outlined BioClima’s technical direction, including GeoAI “core engines” such as probabilistic species distribution modelling (with confidence mapping), land-cover and ecological connectivity methods using convolutional and graph neural networks, and multi-agent reinforcement learning to explore “win–win” strategies for carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Linking workshop themes to BioClima’s use cases

Workshop sessions explored how integrated monitoring can inform reporting and implementation in practice - particularly where national and international reporting frameworks require consistent, defensible indicators and well-governed data pipelines. BioClima’s presentation echoed these needs through applied case study work, including a Czech pilot structured around three interlinked use cases: long-term land use/land cover and climate interactions, bark beetle disturbance dynamics, and local investigations of biodiversity–microclimate–water retention relationships.

Workshop participants in Bonn discuss Earth observation and AI-enabled approaches for integrated biodiversity and climate monitoring during the 14th Chinese–German Workshop on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Presentation available for download