Never have efforts to protect wildlife habitats and preserve endangered species been more urgent or more necessary than today. Some scientific studies suggest that if we don’t act now, as many as half of the species alive today could be extinct by the end of the century. That’s a terrifying prospect to anyone who cares about conservation and wildlife preservation.
It will be challenging to reverse some of these seemingly unstoppable trends towards mass extinction and environmental degradation. Luckily, environmentalists and biologists are leveraging the power of new technologies to preserve habitats and protect wildlife. What’s more, many experts believe that 91% of ocean-dwelling species and 86% of land-dwelling species are yet to be discovered.
Technology networks like Wildlabs, for example, work with a host of non-profit organizations to publish reports and conduct research on thousands of different species. Technology will be crucial in preserving the many thousands of wildlife species we cherish. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the most exciting new technologies that are poised to play a crucial part in modern conservation efforts.
Data Loggers and Cloud Computing
Cloud storage technology has opened many doors for environmentalists and conservationists by allowing pictures to be uploaded and stored online. One non-profit organization called Wild Me has built a cloud-based platform that uses AI technology to store images of wildlife and environments in the cloud automatically.
Cloud-based applications can also source images from social media and other online sources to gather data and identify different species. AI is used to differentiate between species using specific patterns like spots and stripes. It then categorizes the various species and images.
This data stored in the cloud can help inform policy decisions related to conservationism and are also available to the public so that individuals can appreciate the beauty of natural wildlife. The Wild Me platform, known as Wildbook, was initially built to track the migration patterns of whale sharks. Since then, developers have modified the application and improved it to record data related to many other species.
Wildbook collects data and images on dolphins, big cats, whales, manta rays, sea turtles, giraffes, and zebras. The application presents a unique opportunity to aggregate important environmental data for conservationists and offers the public the chance to view majestic wildlife photographs. These cloud-based tools are crucial; as the Washington Post puts it, the cloud is now the new normal.
According to Dickson Data, data loggers are also essential tools to collect and record critical environmental data such as temperature, humidity, moisture, and pressure. These low-cost, powerful electronic devices use sensors to detect variables in their surroundings and internal storage to house that data until scientists analyse it.
Some data loggers can even be connected to the internet to send data to computers or external hard drives online or enable real-time monitoring of environmental conditions.
Biodiversity Monitoring Using DNA
DNA and genetic sequencing technology has given conservationists new tools to sample the environment and gain key insights into an ecosystem. In particular, they can collect DNA samples from soil, air and water.
The power of DNA sampling comes from the fact that all living beings leave traces of their genetic code in the environment. So, even collecting one sample could contain the DNA of hundreds of different living organisms. That means that environmentalists can get a detailed snapshot of the entire ecosystem with just a few samples.
These insights into the environment can shed light on the biodiversity of a given area and identify species that could be in jeopardy. New studies suggest that eDNA or DNA collection using digital technologies is more efficient than traditional terrestrial biodiversity monitoring.
Enhancing Communications Technologies
Helping conservationists stay connected is vital to forwarding environmental protection goals. That’s why many environmentalists connect hardware and software tools to the internet, which can easily be accessed and shared by other workers. Many tech companies build inexpensive, open-source sensors and devices connected to the internet or local networks to share data between individuals and organisations efficiently.
Some tools used in national parks or preservations without internet access create a private network to share important data. Scientists can use this approach for everything from alarm systems to gate sensors to animal trackers. Many of the sensors connected to these private networks can record and transmit data that conservation officers can use to prevent poaching.
Some companies involved in building this important tech infrastructure include Arribada, Smart Parks, Field Kit and Sensing Clues. Environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts use wearable devices to collect data while on the move.
Gamifying Environmental Protection
One of the most exciting integrations of technology into environmentalism is the rise of tech built to gamify conservationism. Young, tech-savvy consumers are highly motivated by games, and augmented reality games are at the forefront of offering immersive and addictive gaming experiences, as seen with the viral popularity of Pokemon Go.
What if we could channel the enthusiasm and love of gaming towards achieving environmental goals? That’s what games like The Internet of Elephants are hoping to accomplish. Along with many others, this game works actual environmental data and ecological problems into their gaming experiences, stoking interest in users that might not have existed otherwise.
Another game, Wildverse, leverages augmented reality to get users interested in wildlife conservation. Gamers can set off on quests to save endangered species. The popularity of the game is not surprising, considering the success of Pokemon Go. The difference is that with Wildverse quests connect users to real-world environmental issues and augmented reality (AR) allows new forms of storytelling that shed light on environmental concerns.
Another technological development impacting the conservation movement is green banking. Through green banking and socially conscious investing, consumers put their money in places they believe will do the most good.
To sum up, our environment is facing severe vulnerabilities today. More institutional effort and public awareness are needed to make the meaningful impacts necessary for environmental conservation. It is only natural that environmentalists would leverage the power of innovation and technology that drives virtually every industry to achieve its goals. Luckily, an impressive set of new companies are driving the growth of innovative new tech to address these pressing environmental concerns.
