Effective Methods Applying IoT to Protect the Natural Environment

The applications that IoT brings to us not only about smart home, smart city, smart factory, … but it is also about macro importance in protecting the living environment.

IoT is put into use in addressing issues related to biodiversity conservation, climate change restriction, deforestation prevention, etc. Therefore, we will clarify the connection between IoT and the environment.

IoT environment monitoring applications often use sensors to protect the environment by monitoring air or water quality, atmospheric conditions, or even tracking the movement of wildlife and their habitat. Develop internet-connected devices as well as applications that allow warning of natural disasters and tsunamis for effective solutions.

IoT can be applied in many aspects of the environment, some applications we can mention:

Conserving Wildlife

We have known a story in Spain when Iberian lynx was in an emergency period, with less than 100 left. Thanks to an advanced conservation captive center, the number of these species is now over 300.

The question is whether the IoT helps this wildlife protection process. These animals are equipped with sensors that can track them at any time. Scientists can study the behavior and lifestyle in their territorial space in nature. Unmanned aircraft are designed to limit the encroachment of humans, thereby being able to track the activities of these animals easily.

Casestudy of Bees

Bees are important animals for maintaining biodiversity in ecosystems and their recent decline has a serious impact on agriculture. Bee Corp provides useful research related to this animal.

A battery-powered sensor will be placed inside the hive that beekeepers can use to track internal conditions as well as their development. If there is a problem the system will automatically notify the beekeeper.

Or to mention CSIRO’s research to improve pollination and honey bee productivity. They tested thousands of bees with small sensors. Frequency identification sensors work in a manner similar to a car’s magnetic card at parking lots, helping to record data as insects pass through a specific checkpoint. The data allows identifying problems affecting bees behavior to facilitate more efficient pollination of crops.

Sensors and cameras are used to combat thieves to help protect the lives of rare animals. Sensors help identify the sounds of traps, guns, and vehicles in the area where animals live.

The rhino conservation RAPID project in Africa used connecting cameras, monitors, and GPS trackers. This combination helps conservationists be alerted when animals are in distress, tracking movement, and recording images of thieves.

Preventing Deforestation and Reducing Natural Disasters

Deforestation accounts for 15% of global carbon emissions. IoT is applied to prevent illegal logging activities. These sensors are attached to trees that allow them to track and detect illegal exploitation and theft from a distance.

Especially, sensors can identify suspicious sounds, such as the sound of a chainsaw or the sound of a loud vehicle in a restricted area. So, authorities can stop illegal activities in a timely manner.

Not only that, but sensors can also do things that people can’t do. Sensors can be used to measure factors such as air quality, water quality, and radiation sensors. They can also detect harmful substances. It is useful that these sensors can warn against the risk of wildfires to the authorities to take reasonable precautions.

Many countries are using the internet to connect thousands of sensors to cloud-based servers. Sensors detect movement close to the earthquake and send data to centers to alert people.

In general, the application of IoT technology will make the natural environment safer, helping biodiversity be preserved!

Hopefully, this article will help you understand more about the benefits of IoT to the natural environment.