The Internet of Animals: what it is, what it could be

One of the biggest trends in ecology over the past decade has been the creation of standardized databases. Recently, this has included live data, formal linkages between disparate databases, and automated analytics, a synergy that we recognize as the Internet of Animals (IoA). Early IoA systems relate animal locations to remote-sensing data to predict species distributions and detect disease outbreaks, and use live data to inform management of endangered species. However, meeting the future potential of the IoA concept will require solving challenges of taxonomy, data security, and data sharing. By linking data sets, integrating live data, and automating workflows, the IoA has the potential to enable discoveries and predictions relevant to human societies and the conservation of animals.

Automated summary

One of the biggest trends in ecology recently has been the creation of standardized databases, which include live data, formal linkages between disparate databases, and automated analytics. This synergy, known as the Internet of Animals (IoA), has been used to predict species distributions and detect disease outbreaks. However, challenges of taxonomy, data security, and data sharing need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of IoA in enabling discoveries and predictions relevant to human societies and animal conservation.