Scientists have struggled to track biodiversity across the Amazon in real time. A new initiative called Amazon.ia aims to change that. It will deploy camera, audio, and insect traps at 10 to 30 sites. Data will feed AI models to create a continuous biodiversity picture. The project needs $100M over ten years to run. So far it has raised $20M, with $14M from the Bezos Earth Fund. Five sites are already committed, including Los Amigos in Peru. The goal is region-wide insights, not just isolated observations. Current tech can identify species but struggles with population sizes. The Amazon basin spans 7M sq km, roughly the size of the lower 48 US states.
What changed
Scientists lacked region-wide, real-time biodiversity data across the Amazon.
What it unlocks
Near real-time tracking of wildlife trends across the Amazon basin.
- $100M funding target
- $20M raised so far
- $14M from Bezos Earth Fund
- 10 to 30 core sites
What you need to act on it
- $100M funding
- 10 to 30 equipped sites
- AI and sensor network deployment
Sources