Modeling impacts of climate change and anthropogenic factors on cetacean biodiversity in the Adriatic and Ionian sea as a premise for enabling future open-world virtual exploration

This research project represents the first step in the development of a comprehensive Marine Observation and Data Network Platform integrating biodiversity and geographical features using advanced modeling techniques. The Platform will use real-time and historical data and machine learning models to represent the past and present and to simulate future scenarios. The aim is to create a user-friendly software accessible to the public, allowing users to visualize the impact of environmental changes on various ecosystems across different years and seasons. Moreover, incorporating the "open world" concept from video games, the platform will allow users to freely explore and visualize various climate conditions and their effects on biodiversity and ecosystems at particular locations/landscapes, offering an immersive and interactive experience. By offering a dynamic Platform for understanding and tracking environmental shifts, it would be possible to promote informed decision-making and contribute to the developing effective, sustainable policies.