Science & Technology in Conservation
From Linnaeus to Algorithms: How Technology and AI Revolutionized Taxonomy (PDF)
How do we name and identify the millions of lifeforms that share our planet, and how has that process changed over time?
This groundbreaking book explores the remarkable evolution of taxonomy, from the handwritten journals and specimen sketches of early naturalists to the advanced tools of the modern era. Travel through the eras of printed guides, digital platforms, and citizen science as we discover how technology has transformed the way we understand biodiversity.
In clear and engaging language, From Linnaeus to Algorithms reveals
• How species were identified a century ago using observation and detailed drawings
• The influence of printed field guides and photography during the twentieth century
• The impact of digital databases and online communities like FishBase and GBIF
• The arrival of artificial intelligence and platforms such as iNaturalist and Pl@ntNet
• The growing role of environmental DNA in detecting species across ecosystems
This book is ideal for anyone interested in nature, science, or technology. Whether you are a biologist, educator, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about how we classify life on Earth, this is your essential guide to the past, present, and future of taxonomy.
Conservation Tech in Action - 45+ AI-Powered Apps and Dashboards for Wildlife and Environmental Conservation
Conservation Tech in Action presents a comprehensive overview of more than 45 AI-powered applications and dashboards developed by Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd to support wildlife research, environmental monitoring, and conservation practice.
Spanning marine biology, terrestrial ecology, citizen science, environmental risk assessment, and scientific publishing, this book documents how accessible technology can be designed and deployed to address real-world conservation challenges.
Built using the Lovable platform, each tool in this collection reflects a practical response to gaps identified through fieldwork and research. From jellyfish bloom prediction and shark identification to ecological risk analysis and open-access scientific publishing, the portfolio demonstrates how modern digital solutions can enhance data collection, improve decision-making, and expand public engagement in conservation.
This volume serves as both a reference and a working model for conservationists, researchers, NGOs, and independent practitioners seeking to integrate technology into their work. It highlights a core principle: that effective conservation tools should be accessible, scientifically grounded, and built to serve those working directly to protect biodiversity.
The AI-Augmented Conservationist
Artificial intelligence is not here to replace conservationists. It is here to return them to the work only humans can do.
Conservation professionals are drowning in reporting, grant administration, inbox overload, data cleanup, stakeholder updates, compliance tasks, and operational complexity. Meanwhile, the work that matters most often happens far from the desk: in forests, wetlands, reefs, reserves, communities, and field sites where decisions shape the future of species and ecosystems.
The AI-Augmented Conservationist is a practical guide to using intelligent agents and modern AI tools to simplify environmental work without losing scientific judgment, field experience, or human responsibility.
Written for conservation professionals, field researchers, environmental consultants, NGO operators, and mission-driven teams, this book shows how AI can support the everyday realities of conservation work: planning projects, managing field data, preparing reports, coordinating teams, communicating with funders, summarizing research, building workflows, and reducing administrative drag.
Inside, you will learn how to:
- Use AI agents as practical assistants for research, operations, reporting, and planning
- Streamline repetitive administrative tasks without compromising quality or ethics
- Turn scattered notes, field observations, documents, and datasets into usable outputs
- Improve NGO and consultancy workflows with lightweight automation
- Support better decision-making while keeping humans accountable
- Build AI-assisted systems that save time, reduce burnout, and help researchers spend more time in the field
This is not a hype-driven book about replacing expertise. It is a grounded, practical guide for professionals who want to use AI responsibly, intelligently, and effectively in real conservation work.
For environmental teams facing limited budgets, growing workloads, and urgent ecological challenges, The AI-Augmented Conservationist offers a clear path forward: let intelligent systems handle more of the operational burden so conservationists can focus on protecting the natural world.
