New Research Initiative VEBITA to Study Animal Mobility
The state of Hessen is funding a new four-year research initiative, VEBITA, with approximately 4.6 million euros to study animal mobility using sensors and AI. The goal is to better understand how animals adapt to environmental changes.
The German state of Hessen is providing approximately 4.6 million euros in funding for a new research initiative, VEBITA. This four-year project, commencing January 2027, will focus on investigating animal mobility and its significance for ecosystem function and species adaptation to environmental change.
The VEBITA initiative will utilize data collected from biological tracking devices (biologging) attached to animals, alongside artificial intelligence methods. The aim is to analyze how animals respond to factors such as climate change and habitat alterations. The findings are intended for broad application in both conservation efforts and societal decision-making.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, the Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (ISOE), and Philipps-University Marburg. Central to the research is understanding animal movement as a fundamental factor influencing foraging, reproduction, and genetic exchange between populations. "Movement data provides direct insights into the behavior of wild animals," stated project lead Thomas Müller.
Particular attention will be paid to the flexibility and adaptability of animal behavior. Artificial intelligence will be employed to identify unusual behavioral patterns and predict potential issues. The initiative will involve close collaboration with conservation groups and other practical stakeholders to ensure the research outcomes are useful tools for decision-making. Preliminary studies will include examining the long migration routes of Mongolian gazelles and the movements of large birds of prey in the Hessen region.