Arise makes species identification faster and easier |
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New platform supports ecologists, land managers and municipalities in biodiversity work
Earlier this week, ARISE became publicly accessible. The new platform combines DNA, sensors and AI-based recognition, helping users to identify Dutch species quickly and reliably. For green professionals, site managers and policymakers, it can be a practical tool for monitoring, management and project preparation, especially in areas where urban nature and intensive use coincide.
| Collecting specimens in the field with the sampling app by Lotte van Leengoed (Image: ARISE, credits: Taco van der Eb) |
Anyone working on ecological restoration projects, management plans or inventories can use ARISE to identify species through DNA or via image and sound recordings. The platform is useful for both specialists and managers who want to assess the ecological value of an area. This gives ARISE a new role in mapping biodiversity accurately and efficiently.
Quick information for urban and rural biodiversity challenges
Programme manager Elaine van Ommen Kloeke highlights the need for up-to-date data. "Nature is in crisis, and that means reliable information on which species occur where is essential." Thanks to new techniques, ARISE can deliver near real-time data, supporting management decisions and tracking the effects of interventions, including in urban areas where ecological values change rapidly.
Volunteers made the database possible
Principal investigator Koos Biesmeijer stresses the major contribution of volunteers. They collected thousands of species for the DNA library and helped verify image and audio data. This has improved the accuracy and applicability of species recognition.
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Thanks to new techniques, ARISE can deliver near real-time data, supporting management decisions or tracking the effects of interventions, including in urban areas where ecological values change rapidly.
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Building block for future nature management
According to Naturalis director Vincent Merckx, ARISE is a first step toward a complete picture of Dutch nature. Ongoing projects on DNA traces in soil, water and air, as well as automated monitoring, align with this. As a result, ARISE may grow into a core tool for anyone working on nature in cities and landscapes.
The platform was developed by Naturalis, the universities of Amsterdam and Twente, and the Westerdijk Institute, with funding from NWO.
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ARISE may grow into a core tool for anyone working on nature in cities and landscapes.
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This article was previously published on 13 November 2025 on the Stad + Groen website.
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