Technology — Ruin, Benefit, and Hope

When choosing contemporary challenges, the idea of ​​technology always comes to mind: data collection, intervention design, or the solution itself. The same is true for conservation challenges.

Throughout the history of conservation, technology has played an important role not only in signaling the severity and urgency of a problem, but also in providing the tools to mitigate it. Without technology, we would not have been able to identify threats such as climate change and biodiversity loss, but some might argue that the overuse of technology caused the challenges. But technology plays a pivotal role when we need to find solutions to the challenges of the new age.

nature conservation technology

Nature conservation requires a better understanding of many aspects of wildlife biology, ecosystems, and human behavior.technology provides An important tool for collecting data. Advances in both hardware and computing power have opened the door to possibilities. This was his dream ten years ago.

Researchers are now able to reach previously inaccessible areas such as the ocean floor and deep caves, observe behavior remotely and, very importantly, analyze large and complex data sets. I was.We also provide technology Tools to Intervene and Influence.

camera trap

Camera traps have evolved conservation spaces in many ways. They are self-operating cameras that trigger themselves to capture photos of warm-bodied animals moving in front of them. These images are Estimate population of the target species.

The Indian tiger population estimate is probably the largest tiger population estimate in the world. Cameras, along with AI, will be used to identify poachers and illegal lumberjacks, and monitor wildlife, especially tigers and leopards, which may invade human settlements. India’s Corbett Tiger Reserve has installed a range of cameras, from infrared cameras to visual cameras, to monitor fires, illegal human movements, and the movement of wildlife such as elephants and tigers.

drone and rover

Other popular hardware these days are drones and underwater rovers.Drones are not only used for monitoring When mapping exercises also used for wildlife spottingDrone use is limited in India due to the dense tree canopy and limited flight time. Underwater rovers are expensive and have limited use, especially in India.

geographic information system

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized conservation. GIS creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all kinds of data. It provides the foundation for all kinds of mapping and analysis of complex, multi-layered data.

For example, you can use satellite data from the last 50 years to see how land use and land cover have changed over time. Map ecosystem degradation rates, identify priority areas, and map animal migration patterns.

genetics

Conservation genetics uses cutting-edge technology to understand species taxonomy, study extinction, and learn about population connectivity and corridors. It also helps in understanding environmental probabilities such as fire and low temperatures.

Forensic genetics can play an important role in combating wildlife crime. Another major contribution of genetics is devising ways to manage ecosystems at the large-scale landscape level.

Advantages of technology

The list of technical applications is long and continues to grow. Machine learning, data mining, and computer vision have brought understanding that could not have been generated before.

Technology has reduced inaccuracies and enabled exploration in inaccessible areas. It helped me make informed choices and evidence-based interventions. Technology gives us the tools to be adaptable, save time, and multiply our chances of success.

Technology is at the heart of The Habitats Trust. All our programs are powered by it. We work in the areas of computer vision to improve our understanding of species, acoustic monitoring of elusive species, testing of underwater rover use, satellite imagery and geographic information systems for land use and land cover mapping. I am using it, etc.

Technology is not a magic wand, but it offers hope of successfully addressing some of the most pressing challenges that directly affect our economies and well-being, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.