Creation of an Open International Database

As part of their interdisciplinary research mission at the intersection of the arts, health, and new technologies, the AgeTeQ laboratory and the Arts and Health Axis of the CREAT Research Chair have initiated the creation of PhytoSonika, an open-access database dedicated to plant electrophysiological signals, in collaboration with Espace pour la vie – City of Montréal. The project aims to collect, structure, and make accessible bioelectrical data recorded in situ across various ecological environments at the Montréal Botanical Garden and the Biodôme.

To date, the database includes several hundred hours of recordings from more than 300 plant species, gathered according to a standardized protocol designed to explore plants’ bioelectrical interactions with their environment. These data are used both in artistic projects—particularly in sonification and immersive installations—and in research examining the sensory relationship between humans and nature.

Grounded in an open science approach, PhytoSonika is conceived as a shared resource for the scientific, artistic, and technological communities. A secure digital platform will provide a user-friendly interface and regulated access to the data. Expected outcomes include support for transdisciplinary research, artistic and technological innovation, and environmental awareness. Ultimately, PhytoSonika aims to become an international reference in plant electrophysiological data applied to issues in health, the arts, and the environment.