Apps and Software Revolutionizing Biodiversity Monitoring and Climate Advocacy
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Introduction
The United Nations global report estimates that up to 1 million animal and plant species are on the verge of extinction. In Canada, the Auditor General Report states that biodiversity loss has reached “crisis proportions'' and in the United States alone, a new biodiversity report estimates that over one third of species and ecosystems are at risk.
North American cities are rich in biodiversity although this is declining due to many factors such as wetlands destruction, damming and disruption of waterways, invasive species, exotic wildlife diseases and climate change. For example, New York City has over 400 bird species documented in the city and each of the five boroughs has great spots to view these birds. Thanks to technology, there are several apps and software out there that can make identifying these birds easy. By fostering a connection to, and becoming knowledgeable about, local biodiversity, you can more actively develop a connection to your local ecosystem and help with conservation restoration efforts.
With many apps you can take a photo of whatever plant you want to identify, and the app will tell you the name of the plant and details.
The use of digital technology to monitor biodiversity is on the rise. Through diverse apps and software, users can now contribute to crucial data that highlights which species are in danger. Many conservation programs need funding and having users regularly update the information on these apps through uploading photos with a timestamp and location helps programs to provide evidence which supports continued funding. These apps can be used by people of all ages. If you are just starting to connect with nature, there are apps for you and if you are more experienced there are apps for experts too. A study by the University of East Anglia has shown that connecting with nature has been associated with many health benefits such as reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
There are many apps available which can help you identify various species of flora and fauna in your area and provide you with additional information about them, right in the field. Some of these apps will even keep track of the species you identify and geo tag them so you know where they were encountered and keep track of them. Here is a list of popular apps that can help you to learn about nature where you live and help you reconnect with the biodiverse species of plants and animals around you. Some of them are free to use and only take a few minutes to download, while others are modestly priced. Below you can learn about when they were created, what they cover, cost if any, and links to download them. Get connected to nature by learning more about her!
*all prices are in CAD dollars
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Google Lens
Created by: Google
Launched: 2017
Price: free
Users: 500,000,000+
Google Lens lets users search what they see around them and can be used to identify species around you. Google has a massive database of images and their highly performant artificial intelligence software enabling Google Lens can recognize all kinds of objects from a given photo. Since the app is not designed to recognize trees, it does not directly give you details about these plants.
Click here for Android app
PictureThis
Created by: Matt Chen
Launched: 2015
Price: free and premium versions ($30-30/yr)
Users: 70,000,000+
This app is easy to use, simple to navigate, and has excellent search results. The app can identify flowers and plants from photos all over the world. Users can connect with plant enthusiasts by liking, commenting, and sharing photos. Users can also enable location services to identify plants nearby them.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
Plant Identification ++
Created by: Touchberry
Launched: 2017
Price: free, in-app purchases such as plant identification starting at $1.99
Through this app, users can take a picture which the app identifies through its database. The app can also locate the plant’s information on Wikipedia. This app is great for individuals who do not want to interact with other users.
Click here for iPhone App
WWF Together
Created by: World Wildlife Fund
Launched: 2014
Price: free
This app presents new and interesting facts about a variety of indigenous wildlife from all over the world. It also shares stories about the species that are heavily impacted by the adverse effects of climate change through stunning, high-definition visuals and interactive features that engage users regardless of their age.
Click here to view
iPlant
Created by: Yang Zongqun
Launched: 2018
Price: free
This app accurately recognizes plants and flowers using artificial intelligence. This app can use images that you take or it can use images that are stored in your phone. iPlant automatically saves identification records and you can easily search. The app also provides users with a Wikipedia link to learn more about the plant species.
Click here for iPhone App
Garden Answers
Created by: Gardens Alive
Launched: 2013
Price: free
Users: 3,000,000+
This app instantly identifies over 20,000 plants and provides accurate and detailed information about them. The app also has a keyword search feature which contains answers to over 200,000 commonly asked plant questions such as about diseases and insect infestations.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
LeafSnap – Plant Identification
Created by: Researchers at Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution
Launched: 2011
Price: $6.60 per month or $34.40 per month
This app can recognize 90 per cent of all known species of plants and trees, covering most of the species users will encounter in every country. LeafSnap is a high-tech, comprehensive and accurate plant identification app. It is an online encyclopedia and plant identifier. Users can learn information about a plant’s classification. This app is accurate 95 per cent of the time and 27,000,000 pictures of plants have been identified.
Click here for iPhone app
Click here for Android app
Seek
Created by: Makers of iNaturalist
Launched: 2018
Price: free
This app uses the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals of all users. Users earn badges for seeing different types of birds, amphibians, plants, and fungi and participate in monthly observation challenges. This app is great for families and kids as it does not require registration and no user data is collected.
Click here for iPhone app
Click here for Android app
Biodiversity
iNaturalist
Created by: California Academy of the Sciences and the National Geographic Society
Lauched: 2008
Price: free
Users: 1,000,000
This app allows users to record observations and share them with other naturalists to discuss the findings. The observations are shared with scientific data repositories. It has a mission to build a global community of 100 million naturalists by 2030 in order to connect people to nature and advance biodiversity science and conservation. This app recognizes both plants and animals and anyone can use this app.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone app
eBird
Created by: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Launched: 2002
Price: free
Users: 820,000
This is a free and easy way to report the birds you find. This app works anywhere in the world, is fully functional offline, and it has been translated into 20 languages. The app helps users to keep track of their bird activities while making the data openly available for scientific research, education, and conservation.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone app
Click here for Android app
Merlin Bird ID
Created by: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Launched: 2004
Price: free
Users: 3,000,000+
This app is made in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, Pennington® Wild Bird Food, SWAROVSKI OPTIK, and the Faucett Catalyst Fund. The app provides bird coaching for bird watchers at any level based on observations and helps users to identify birds in any country. The app provides detailed descriptions, photos, and sounds of each bird to help users identify what they see.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone app
Audubon Bird Guide
Created by: National Audubon Society
Launched: 2015
Price: free
Users: 2,000,000
This app has a complete guide of over 800 species of North American birds. It helps users identify birds, keep track of birds observed, and it also helps users find new birds. Users can also share photos on the photo feed, keep records of birds they encounter, and keep up with the latest news of birds around the world.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone app
Click here for Android app
Reef Life Survey
Created by: University of Tasmania funded by Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities
Launched: 2007
Price: free
Reef Life Survey is an interactive digital tool to track the health of coral reef ecosystems around the world. This is a non-profit citizen science program which trains scuba divers to undertake standardized underwater visual surveys of reef biodiversity on coral reefs around the world. Further data on the marine environments can be accessed on the Australian Open Data Network.
Click here to view
Kaleidoscope Connect
Created by: Wildlife Acoustics
Launched: 2013
Price: $527 CAD
This software allows users to quickly sort, label, and identify bird songs, frog calls, and bat identifications from weeks, months, or even years of recordings. The software can be used to conduct species inventory, presence/absence surveys, endangered species detection or habitat health monitoring. Kaleidoscope enables users to quickly sort, label, and identify various wildlife sounds. These sounds can include bird songs and frog calls.
Click here to view
Raven Lite
Created by: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Launched: 2006
Price: free plan, pro starting at $66
Raven Lite is a free software program that lets users record, save, and visualize sounds as spectrograms and waveforms. Raven Lite is intended for students, educators, and hobbyists, and can be used for learning about sounds, as an aid in birdsong recognition, and in musical instruction.
Click here to view.
PlantNet Plant Identification
Created by: Consortium of 4 French research organizations CIRAD, Inria, INRAE, IRD
Launched: 2010
Price: free
This app can identify plants by leaf, flower, and fruit features and it can also identify plants by bark which is unique to this app. It works through an image sharing and retrieval application for the identification of plants. Among other features, this app helps in identifying plant species from photographs. Plant species that are well enough illustrated in the botanical reference database can be easily recognized. This app works on more than 4,100 species of flora.
Click here for iPhone app
Click here for Android app
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These apps are great for bird watchers who want to easily identify a bird they’re looking at.
Climate Change
Earth-Now
Created by: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Launched: 2012
Price: free
This app uses a satellite system that delivers up to date video observations of Earth. Global climate change data is used to display data on surface air temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, water vapor as well as sea-level variations. Users can observe any part of the world using their smartphones. This app serves as a real-climate change resource that allows users to survey the environmental conditions from all over the world. This app can be used by students as well as educators.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for view Android App
ClimateCounts
Created by: Gary Hirshberg
Launched: 2007
Price: free
ClimateCounts is a non-profit organization bringing consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change. ClimateCounts ranks organizations through an annual scorecard ranking companies on their actions to reverse climate change and water pollution. This tracks the progress of some of the world’s most well known brands.
Click here to view
ISeeChange
Created by: iSeeChange
Launched: 2020
Price: free
This app allows users to post sightings to connect with their local community. Users can also comment on what other users are seeing to provide tips on how to best manage the same climate challenges. The app shares information to users during local and regional weather events. Sightings are also shared in newsletters and on social media to help users track how communities are changing in response to climate change.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
Skeptical Science
Created by: John Cook
Launched: 2007
Price: free
Skeptical Science is a software and also an app. Skeptical Science uses peer-reviewed science to debunk climate change misinformation. Skeptical Science funds and manages includes the Skeptical Science Website, the Cranky Uncle game which is available in 8 languages, and the translation of communication material. The app is connected to the website so when new skeptic arguments, recent research or the latest data is added, the app automatically updates.
Click here to view the software
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
Environmental Advocacy
Greentech Media
Created by: Scott Clavenna & Rick Thompson
Launched: 2007
Price: free
This app curates articles in a convenient feed to inform industries and enterprises that there are better and greener alternatives for them to conduct their businesses. Readers can also share articles via social media portals to help raise awareness of activities which may seem harmless but actually worsen climate change.
Click here to view
Click here for Android App
Good on You
Created by: a group of campaigners, business professionals, sustainability experts and tech developers
Launched: 2015
Price: free
Users: 1,000,000
This app enables a more transparent fashion industry. This app informs users about the ethical and environmental efforts of brands. This helps to enable climate-conscious consumers to be more informed about the choices when it comes to clothes they wear and brands they support.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
MyEarth
Created by: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Launched: 2015
Price: free
This app is an energy tracking app that encourages users to reduce their day to day energy emissions. The app tracks your energy consumption in areas like electricity, travel and food, and within each category, there are suggestions for doing things differently to help conserve energy. Users can track their progress and their total impact.
Click here for iPhone App
Click here to view Android App
PawPrint
Created by: Christian Arno
Launched: 2020
Price: free
Users: 32,124
This app helps users to make climate-friendly choices. The app measures users impact with the carbon footprint calculator and then gives tips on how to reduce it. The app also gives feedback ideas on sustainability initiatives and is usable in corporate office environments and also for personal action.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
EJAtlas
Created by: Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Launched: 2015
Price: free
The Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas) documents and catalogs social conflict around environmental issues such as land, air, and forests. The database provides information on 10 main categories which include nuclear, mineral ores and building extractions, waste management, biomass and land conflicts. EJAtlas provides a visualization of communities struggling for environmental justice and highlights their claims and testimonies.
Click here to view
Metrio ESG
Created by: Nasdaq Company
Launched: 2010
Price: free
Users: thousands
This software integrates environmental, social and corporate governance factors into business practices. This helps to improve operations and mitigating costs as well as helping companies to reach net zero emissions. This app works by collecting data, measuring and disclosing the data, then this information is communicated and reported.
Click here to view
EHS Insight
Created by: StarTex Software
Launched: 2009
Price: Free trial and price varies by company
Users: over 500,000 users
This software helps organizations to be more effective with managing compliance. It helps industries to run safer and more sustainable operations. The Environmental Management Software allows users to ensure compliance with government regulations, reduce environmental impacts, and monitor all aspects of carbon and energy usage and the impacts on the environment.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App
Click here for Android App
#climate
Created by: Josh Felser & Steve Simitzis
Launched: 2014
Price: free
This app helps to amplify social consciousness about the effects of climate change by allowing users to discover and share climate change actions that are relevant to them and their network. This app harnesses the power of like-minded people to unite, inform and share concrete climate-saving solutions from renowned organizations and the most impactful influencers.
Click here to view
Click here for iPhone App (available on US app store)
With hundreds of thousands of species of plants, using apps to help identify them can help you become familiar with your local biodiversity, and more in tune with nature around you.
These apps and software on biodiversity, climate change, and environmental advocacy can help us reconnect and learn more about nature. In addition to the individual health benefits, reconnecting and learning about nature can help us take steps to preserve our environment. This helps to protect wildlife and promote biodiversity which benefits our ecosystem, protects against climate change, and ensures food security.
If your app or software is missing from this list, please let us know and we will add it. To let us know, email rmalik@greenroofs.org.
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Jonta Kamara is a health systems and health policy analyst. She holds a Master of Public Health from King's College London and an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Studies with a double minor in African Studies and Immunology with distinction from New College at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on health system strengthening and social determinants of health. For more on her work visit here.
Rushil Malik is the Marketing Manager at Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. She is a recent graduate from the University of Western Ontario, receiving an Honours Bachelors of Arts.
