FAMos – Support and Expansion of Butterfly Monitoring Germany (TMD)
| Federal State | Nationwide |
|---|---|
| Duration | 01/01/2025 - 30/09/2026 |
| Budget | € 699,933.12 |
| Funding Reference Number | 3524600300 |
| Grant Recipient | Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) |
| Participants | Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) – Department of Conservation Research |
Description
The Butterfly Monitoring Germany (TMD) is a nationwide, standardised monitoring programme for butterflies. As part of the current project, the TMD is being specifically further developed and technically upgraded to meet growing requirements for data quality and analyzability.
Approach and benefits
The key measures in terms of approach, as well as the resulting benefits for the Butterfly Monitoring Germany (TMD) are listed below.
The expansion of the data infrastructure is a central aspect. Since 2024, the BioMe framework has formed a new basis for TMD data management. Among others, the following measures are being implemented within BioMe to improve data quality and usability,:
- Optimised management of transect routes
- Improved quality assurance
- Expansion of digital identification aids
Another technical component is the expansion of the existing AI backend. This means that automatic image recognition will be possible in the TMD capture app in the future, as well as the storage of images and the recording of locations. In addition, data collection is being made more flexible: beyond the classic transect counts, 15-minute counts and individual sighting reports will also be possible.
The TMD data are of great importance for the federal states. Therefore, standardised interfaces are being set up through which state authorities can retrieve the data promptly and easily.
The detailed information on the transects is being systematically improved. This includes:
- Precise geolocation of all count routes
- Recording of habitat types
These data form an important basis for calculating the national “Grassland Butterfly Index,” which allows statements about the status of typical open grassland species. The index is available as an international publication for national issues and measures.
To secure the long-term continuation of the TMD and as a sign of appreciation towards the many volunteers, science communication and public outreach are being specifically expanded.
Some highlights include:
- 20th anniversary in March 2025
- Coverage of butterfly monitoring via social media
- Press releases on important project results
- Launch of the “Faces of TMD” participatory campaign, in which dedicated participants are presented
Project structure
The project is divided into the following work packages:
- Integration, adjustment and expansion of BioMe modules within the TMD
- Integration of the existing AI backend
- Expansion of the range of monitoring methods
- Interface for data queries (query layer)
- Adding detailed information for transects
- Calculation of a national “Grassland Butterfly Index”
- TMD on social media
- Press and public relations
- “Faces of TMD” campaign
Outlook
The project lays the foundation for sustainable IT structures that will continue to be used and further developed even after the project ends. The technical developments serve not only data collection, but also long-term quality assurance and data availability.
In the long term, the plan is to have:
- An enhanced version of the BioMe portal for all TMD participants, including:
- an enhanced web app for recording count data, with additional services for data management and quality assurance
- an enhanced mobile app with AI-assisted automatic image recognition, data storage, and location recording
- the ability to record results from 15-minute counts as well as individual observations
- Establishment of a data repository for different survey methods
- Role-based access to data via interfaces for the specialist community, volunteers, and networks like the NFDI