FAIR digital twins for biodiversity: enabling data, model, and workflow integration

npj Biodiversity, vol. 5, pp. 5

Abstract

The biodiversity crisis demands computational tools to integrate and analyse complex, disparate data and models. This paper presents the concept of FAIR Digital Twins (FDTs) and, drawing on the work of the Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT) project (2022-2025), demonstrates how combining Digital Twins with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) can transform biodiversity research and decision-making. We show strategies for integrating heterogeneous data, models, and computational workflows within a FAIR framework, paving the way for operational FDTs. The BioDT project developed ten prototype digital twins addressing a critical range of challenges, including grassland and forest dynamics, bird monitoring, ecosystem services, and crop wild relative genetic resources. We discuss implementation challenges such as data fragmentation, semantic interoperability, and operational complexity. Critically, we highlight the opportunities for dynamic adaptation, modular workflows, and cross-domain collaboration, detailing how tools like Research Object Crate (RO-Crate) operationalise FAIR principles for metadata packaging and standardisation. This convergence of Digital Twins with FAIR principles offers a scalable and reusable approach to advancing biodiversity modeling and simulation, providing a robust foundation for evidence-based policy decisions.

Authors 9

1. Sharif Islam corresponding Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands. sharif.islam@naturalis.nl

2. Hanna Koivula

   CSC - IT Center for Science (Finland)

   Affiliation as printed

   CSC - IT Center for Science, Espoo, Finland

3. Carrie J. Andrew

   Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

   Affiliation as printed

   Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK

4. Julian Lopez Gordillo Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands

5. Claus Weiland

   Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

6. Dmitry Schigel

   Global Biodiversity Information Facility

   Affiliation as printed

   Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Copenhagen, Denmark

7. Dag Endresen

   University of Oslo

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

8. Christos Arvanitidis

   LifeWatch ERIC

   Affiliation as printed

   LifeWatch ERIC, Seville, Spain

9. Stian Soiland-Reyes

   University of Manchester

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Manchester, Manchester, UK