The rise of the drones (and other such tech)
Photo credit: Jason Blackeye on Unspalsh
Technology has the potential to revolutionize ecological restoration efforts by providing innovative tools and solutions to the complex challenges faced by restoration practitioners.
One of the most promising areas of technology for ecological restoration is the use of drones. Drones can be used to map restoration sites, monitor vegetation growth, and collect data on site conditions. This information can be used to create more accurate restoration plans and track the success of restoration efforts over time. Furthermore, our friends at Envico Technologies have some really exciting potential in the area of aerial re-seeding that we are keeping an eye on.
Remote sensing technology is another valuable tool for ecological restoration. Remote sensing involves the use of satellites, aircraft, or drones to collect data on site conditions, vegetation cover, and other key metrics. This data can be used to identify areas that are in need of restoration, track changes over time, and evaluate the success of restoration efforts. It can also be used to support the financial returns generated through carbon credits or the like.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are also increasingly being used in ecological restoration. GIS can be used to create detailed maps of restoration sites, analyze site conditions, and plan restoration activities. This information can help restoration practitioners to make more informed decisions and ensure that resources are being used effectively. We use GIS daily. We would highly recommend anyone who has an interest in this area to get using QGIS. It’s highly functional and effective and, importantly, open source. This means that while it’s free there is still a huge amount of reference material to help get you up to speed.
Another area of technology that is rapidly advancing is the use of genetic engineering to restore degraded ecosystems. Scientists are developing techniques to modify the DNA of plants to make them more resilient to environmental stressors, such as drought or pollution. These plants can be used in ecological restoration projects to help restore degraded ecosystems more quickly and effectively. On the flipside, CRISPER Cas9 has the potential to humanely eradicate invasive species such as wallaby. The biggest hurdles in this area are political.
We think technology has the potential to play a critical role in ecological restoration efforts. Drones, remote sensing, GIS, and genetic engineering are just a few examples of the innovative tools and solutions that can be used to support and enhance ecological restoration projects. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more exciting developments in this field, leading to more successful ecological restoration projects around the world.