Question 1

What is BioJalisco?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco is a field research tool that identifies vertebrate species from photos using AI, then verifies each identification against three scientific databases: GBIF for global taxonomy and IUCN conservation status, iNaturalist for regional species context, and EncicloVida (CONABIO) for Mexico-specific data like NOM-059 protection status and endemic classification.

Question 2

What animals can BioJalisco identify?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco is designed to identify vertebrate animals: mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The system works best with clear, well-lit photographs showing the full body of the animal. It is not currently designed for invertebrates, plants, or fungi.

Question 3

How accurate are the identifications?

Accepted Answer

Each identification includes a confidence score. The AI provides an initial identification which is then cross-referenced against GBIF taxonomy, iNaturalist regional data, and CONABIO databases. High-confidence identifications (80%+) are generally reliable, but we recommend expert verification for research-critical observations, especially for visually similar species.

Question 4

What data is collected with each observation?

Accepted Answer

Each observation generates over 30 structured data fields including: species identification (common and scientific names in English and Spanish), full taxonomic classification, ecological information (habitat, diet, size, behavior), geographic data (native range, presence in Jalisco/Mexico, invasive status), IUCN conservation status and population trends, NOM-059 protection status, endemic classification, and GPS coordinates if location services are enabled.

Question 5

Who can access my observations?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco is a community science platform. All observations are visible on the public Community Observations page so that researchers and the broader community can benefit from shared biodiversity data. Your observations are associated with your authenticated account, and only you can manage or delete them from your personal dashboard. No personal account information is displayed publicly — only species data, photos, and identification details.

Question 6

What is NOM-059-SEMARNAT?

Accepted Answer

NOM-059-SEMARNAT is the official Mexican standard that lists species at risk of extinction. It classifies species into categories: Probably Extinct in the Wild (E), Endangered (P), Threatened (A), and Subject to Special Protection (Pr). BioJalisco retrieves this status from CONABIO's EncicloVida database for every identified species found in Mexico.

Question 7

Who is behind BioJalisco?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco is developed by CushLabs AI Services and supported by Dr. Veronica Rosas, a tenured ecology professor and campus leader at CUCBA, University of Guadalajara. The platform combines professional software engineering with active field research in vertebrate biodiversity across western Mexico. Student researchers from UdeG's conservation biology program contribute to field observations and data validation.

Question 8

How can I get access?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco is currently invite-only during the initial research phase. If you are a researcher, student, or conservation professional interested in participating, contact us at info@cushlabs.ai.

Question 9

Does BioJalisco work offline?

Accepted Answer

Not currently. Species identification requires an active internet connection to process images through the AI pipeline and verify results against external databases. Offline support for remote fieldwork is planned for a future release.

Question 10

What are the long-term goals?

Accepted Answer

BioJalisco aims to grow from a field identification tool into a regional biodiversity intelligence network. The goals include building a citizen science community, generating structured ecological data to inform conservation policy in Jalisco, and eventually contributing to national-level biodiversity monitoring in Mexico. Phase 2 will add species dashboards, geographic heatmaps, and conservation monitoring views. Phase 3 will introduce collaborative research networks and data contribution pipelines to global databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?