Training

Background

The objective of Work Package 7 “Communication, Dissemination & Training” of BMD is to maximise the project’s immediate and long-term impact through communication, dissemination, result exploitation, and training activities for stakeholders and end-users. Within this WP, Task 7.4 “Capacity building and training” provides operational support to natural resource managers, policymakers, and scientific communities to effectively use high-capacity monitoring tools, AI-based taxonomic identification services, FAIR data mobilisation workflows, the Biodiversity Analysis Tools (BATs) suite, and the Biodiversity Explorer.

The BMD Training Plan develops and delivers a range of tailored training initiatives and products designed to bridge the gap between the technological developments and the identified capacity building and training needs of the different user and external stakeholder groups, in order to maximise the BMD outputs uptake, long-term sustainability, and project impact.

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Target audience

The BMD training activities target a broad and diverse community of users and stakeholders. Among these, key target groups include managers of protected areas and the Natura 2000 network, scientific researchers, taxonomists, and modellers, as well as policymakers, public authorities, and government bodies.

To address specific operational and analytical needs, and provide a modular and flexible training approach, the BMD target audiences have been organised into five main categories. Training and learning content is consequently designed to accommodate both users with basic digital skills through intuitive interfaces and simple guides, while at the same time also offering advanced technical modules on complex topics such as FAIR data, AI-based species identification, and modelling.

Land and Natural Resource Managers

• Natura 2000 and natural resource managers
• Managers interested in data analysis or in uploading site-specific datasets
• eLTER site managers

Scientific and Research Community

• Researchers and scientists, including early career scientists and researchers interested in updating datasets
• Taxonomists and species list holders and curators
• Modellers
• Citizen scientists

Policymakers and Public Authorities

• Policymakers at local, regional and national level
• Government agencies and MEAs (Multilateral Environmental Agreements)
• Key decision-makers implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR)

Platform and Data Catalogue Users

• Biodiversity Explorer users, specifically those interested in knowing how the BMD data catalogue and its metadata are structured and used
• ARISE platform users
• Non-scientific communities and non-technical users

Internal Audience and Partner Projects

• Internal BMD project members
• Partner initiatives putting data space concepts into practice
• Other relevant stakeholders and interested parties

Training formats and products

Training formats and products are selected to meet diverse user needs. Training resources range from traditional user support materials, such as technical documentation, online manuals, and practical guides for continued reference, to self-paced learning resources like BMD’s thematic webinars and dissemination events. The BMD training offer is completed by hands-on workshops, beta-testing sessions, and interactive video tutorials designed to dynamically demonstrate BMD technical workflows.

Training topics

The BMD training action insists on a wide range of scientific and technical skills in order to foster the uptake and exploitation of tools and services provided by the project. The training offer ranges from basic modules, such as digital literacy and biodiversity data management, to advanced ones dedicated to cutting-edge analytical technologies.

Some of the key topics for training resources include:

• Introduction to the Single Access Point/Biodiversity Explorer
• FAIR data principles and biodiversity data mobilisation
• Workflows and best practices for GBIF publication and data management
• Mobilisation of species checklists (ChecklistBank)
• Use and deployment of camera traps and high-performance audio devices
• eDNA sampling and processing
• AI-based taxon identification services
• Use of Biodiversity Analysis Tools (BATs)
• Geospatial analysis, data cubes, and biodiversity indicators
• Applications for conservation planning and environmental policy support

Training platform

The above-mentioned training content is hosted on the BMD Training Platform. Resources are completely open and can be explored either by navigating the full list of contents on offer or by filtering by topic, skill, target audience or format.