Beyond the horizon: immersive developments for animal ecology research

More diverse data on animal ecology are now available. This data deluge presents challenges for both biologists and computer scientists; however, it also creates opportunities to improve analysis and answer more holistic research questions. We aim to increase awareness of the current opportunity for interdisciplinary research between animal ecology researchers and computer scientists. Immersive analytics (IA) is an emerging research field in which investigations are performed into how immersive technologies, such as large display walls and virtual realityand augmented realitydevices, can be used to improve data analysis, outcomes, and communication. These investigations have the potential to reduce the analysis effort and widen the range of questions that can be addressed. We propose that biologists and computer scientists combine their efforts to lay the foundation for IA in animal ecology research. We discuss the potential and the challenges and outline a path toward a structured approach. We imagine that a joint effort would combine the strengths and expertise of both communities, leading to a well-defined research agenda and design space, practical guidelines, robust and reusable software frameworks, reduced analysis effort, and better comparability of results.

Automated summary

More diverse data in animal ecology are now available, presenting challenges and opportunities for biologists and computer scientists. Immersive analytics is an emerging field that explores the use of immersive technologies to improve data analysis and communication. The collaboration between biologists and computer scientists has the potential to lead to practical guidelines, reduced analysis effort, and improved comparability of results.