UCC-led biodiversity modelling course reaches participants in 125 countries

17 Sep 2026

Researchers from University College Cork (UCC) and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have helped make advanced biodiversity modelling tools more accessible to practitioners worldwide through a free international training programme that attracted more than 1,600 participants from 125 countries.

The online course, Species Distribution Modelling using Google Earth Engine, was led by Dr Ramiro Crego, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC, alongside Smithsonian colleagues (Dr Jared Stabach and Dr Grant Connette).

The course was delivered through NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET), and attracted 1,615 participants from more than 800 organisations across the globe.

Species distribution models (SDMs) are among the most widely used analytical tools in ecology and conservation, helping scientists understand where species occur and identify habitats suitable for their survival. These models play an important role in informing conservation planning, biodiversity monitoring and environmental management.

However, analysing large environmental datasets and running complex machine learning models often requires significant computing power, creating barriers for researchers and practitioners in many parts of the world.

The course addressed this challenge by demonstrating how Google Earth Engine, a cloud-based geospatial analysis platform, can simplify access to large datasets and support advanced ecological modelling without the need for high-performance computing infrastructure.

The remarkable level of participation highlights the growing global demand for accessible tools and training in biodiversity science and conservation. Reaching participants from approximately 80% of the world's countries, the programme demonstrates how digital learning can expand access to research methods and strengthen international capacity for environmental decision-making.

Dr Ramiro Crego commented: "It is extremely encouraging to see such a level of engagement across the world on this course and a testament to the work being done at UCC in collaboration with international institutions to make science more accessible, helping generate the information needed to tackle the biodiversity crisis".

The course recordings are freely available through NASA's ARSET programme for anyone wishing to learn more about species distribution modelling using Google Earth Engine.