A powerful example that is often cited when discussing biodiversity is the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The species was reintroduced to the U.S. National Park in 1995, but soon after, new predators reduced deer populations and allowed plants, especially aspens and willows, to recover. This in turn improved habitat for other species, such as beavers and birds, and also redirected stream flows. This phenomenon is known as a “trophic cascade,” where the removal or addition of a species can lead to unpredictable changes in an ecosystem. However, How to protect biodiversity How can we combat climate change and protect endangered species? Can technology help in this effort?
Why is biodiversity being lost?
Before considering technologies that can help conserve species, it is important to understand the main causes of biodiversity loss. According to UN data, One in eight plant and animal species in the world is at risk of extinction This is due to four main factors:
- Changes in land use. This is mainly due to the conversion of forests and jungles into agricultural land, destroying habitats and reducing biodiversity. 30% About the global decline in biodiversity.
- Overuse of resources. Overfishing, overharvesting, and excessive extraction of resources such as timber The Earth’s renewable resources are rapidly depleting each yearThe cause of this issue is 20% Global biodiversity loss.
- Climate change and pollution. These factors can range up to 14% They are one of the causes of biodiversity loss, and some studies suggest that they may become the main cause in the coming decades.
- Invasive species. Species such as zebra mussels, lionfish, American crabs and Asian carp can become invasive, disrupting ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. 11% Global biodiversity loss.
Five technological innovations for biodiversity conservation
In addition to transitioning to renewable energy, establishing protected areas, and implementing similar conservation measures, technology provides valuable tools to support this mission. Below are five recent examples.
- Genetic monitoring (eDNA)Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology has revolutionized the way scientists monitor biodiversity. By detecting species from DNA traces left in environments such as water and soil, rare or hard-to-find species can be identified without the use of invasive methods.
- Camera traps and dronesCamera traps equipped with motion and infrared sensors, and drones equipped with high-performance cameras, allow remote monitoring of wildlife and their habitats. These technologies can operate in harsh conditions and transmit images in real time.
- LiDaR for forest mappingLiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses fired from aircraft or drones to map vegetation in high resolution. The technology helps scientists measure changes in forest ecosystems precisely and efficiently. It is already being used in Indonesia, for example. Assessing the impacts of logging About tropical forests.
- BioacousticsBioacoustics uses recording devices to capture the sounds of natural ecosystems – from birdsong to frogs – and these sounds are then analysed by AI to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity.
- High-tech maps and big dataAdvanced mapping technologies combine satellite imagery, sensor data, and data modeling to monitor changes in vegetation and ecosystems at large scale. These platforms enable ecologists to observe forest loss in real time and respond quickly to threats.
To learn more about how technological advances can help conserve biodiversity, we invite you to read this article about the use of artificial intelligence and big data in preventing wildfires, one of the biggest environmental threats. And of course, we encourage you to get involved in volunteering that contributes to the restoration of natural ecosystems.
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