Technology and Conservation

Technology and Conservation

The emergence and perfection of hyperspectral technology has tremendous potential for revolutionizing conservation efforts. Since its emergence in the 1990’s, researchers used the technology for a variety of purposes, ranging from updating maps to managing agricultural lands and exploring for minerals. The implications for conservation, however, is the ability for researchers to identify ecosystem function, evolution and change; identify threatened habitats of endangered species; indirect approximations of species richness and diversity; and calculations for carrying capacity, all with unprecedented efficiency. What once required tedious surveying and exploration by foot now requires aerial flights over the area of study.

What is hyperspectral imagery? In simplest terms, hyperspectral imagery is the detection of reflected electromagnetic energy from the earth. After an electromagnetic ray is transmitted and received, hyperspectral technology produces high resolution images created from the variety of wavelengths received. In the end, the technology produces an easily interpreted map of a specific target, ranging from a mineral to a specific plant species. Most recently, Earth Search Sciences Inc. patented their third generation technology, called the “OmniProbe.” A fraction of its original size, the OmniProbe is the size of a shoebox and can be easily attached to aircraft for research excursions.

With the perfection and evolution of hyperspectral technology is increased surveying abilities. Regarding conservation efforts and research, the technology can now reveal vertical canopy structure of a forest, percentage of land cover by vegetation, the productivity of primary producers (via Chlorophyll), information on ocean color and circulation, climate and rainfall data, percentage of soil moisture, phenology cycles (leaf turnover and flower/fruiting cycles), and the identification of target species. Pertaining to field research, the technology has been used to detect invasive species and identify and survey critical habitat for endangered animals from the Great Panda in China, to the Black Rhino in Kenya and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda.

In Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, the emergence and spread of the invasive species “Leafy Spurge” has created habitat damage and loss to the park’s grasslands. To reverse the damage done by the spread of this noxious species, the park has sprayed infested areas with an herbicide or released flea beetles as a bio-control ally; flea beetles prey upon Leafy Spurge. With the help of hyperspectral technology and imagery, the park has identified and mapped the locations and extent of the infestations throughout the park. With a map in hand, park rangers and researchers now fight to eradicate the weed.

Across the globe in Africa and China, conservationists and the Worldwide Wildlife Fund fight to save token endangered species like the Great Panda, Black Rhino, and Mountain Gorilla. All three species are not only threatened by poachers, but reduction in critical habitat areas and limited ‘sanctuaries’ or places free from human harm. In Rwanda, the Center for Conservation Technology, a division of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, uses hyperspectral technology to understand habitat loss, ecosystem function, and extent of human encroachment to dictate field conservation and ecosystem management strategies. The extent that the new technology will alter and assist conservation strategies may influence the fate of the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda. Regarding the Black Rhino and Great Panda, hyperspectral technology could be used to locate suitable critical habitat areas for conservation purposes. If sanctuaries could be created for these animals from acquisitioned land, species abundances may once again rise.

Currently, population of Black Rhino in Kenya has dropped from over 20,000 in 1970 to approximately 450 individuals today. With the help of field research, critical habitat was identified and a small fenced and protected rhino sanctuary, called “Sweetwaters,” was created for the Black Rhino. Surveying the habitat by foot, researchers calculated the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, and 22 rhino were translocated to the area. In this scenario, hyperspectral technology could have potentially replaced the need for tedious field work to accelerate the establishment of the sanctuary.

Hyperspectral technology can largely replace tedious field surveying yet provided thorough data sets for calculating carrying capacities of study sites for target species. The implications are that it can expedite surveying processes and eliminate the need for extensive field research to assist park management strategy and decision-making. With the use of the innovative technology, the identification of critical habitat and data collection for carrying capacity calculations could occur to create and extend existing conservation areas.


Brandon Perkins
Content Coordinator
NGS/LA FEATURES-Special Projects
Phone (888)477-9241/Fax (323) 559-2256
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