- Location: Ireland, Northern Ireland
- Institution: Queen's University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, Ulster University, University of Limerick
- Status: Active
- Type: Research
- Theme: Evidence Discovery & Integration
- Timeframe: 2024 - 2029
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Traditional ways of collecting evidence are time-consuming and labour-intensive, which makes it difficult it difficult to keep up with the rapidly expanding amount of scientific evidence available. Therefore, this project is using artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of large language models to automate this process. It is hoped this will enhance the speed and accuracy of policy and decision-making processes.
Many of the other Climate + Evidence Discovery & Integration projects are using AI in a similar way. However, this project will specifically focus on collating evidence on the effectiveness of nature-based solutions. These are actions that protect and restore nature while also providing other benefits like addressing climate change, preventing water pollution, reducing disaster risk or improving human health and wellbeing.
The project will develop both quantitative data and qualitative narrative descriptions of nature-based solutions and interventions.
Project Goals
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Develop a consistent approach for using AI to automatically gather and summarise evidence from scientific literature
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Collect and organise large volumes of research related to nature-based solutions from around the world, ensuring it is ready to be processed by AI
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Apply AI models to read and summarise the evidence collected
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Assess the role that key ecosystems play in nature-based solutions, looking specifically at their potential to reduce the impacts of climate change, improve water quality, and support nature restoration and recovery
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Build an evidence base that can inform policy and land management decisions, helping to identify nature-based solutions that are reliable, cost-effective, and resilient
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Test the accuracy of the AI-generated summaries by comparing them against manually reviewed sources and reports from leading organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with a particular focus on areas where the evidence is uncertain
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Connect the nature-based solutions evidence system with the tools and platforms that policymakers and researchers already use
Institutions
