The sheer volume of data needed to accurately track environmental shifts is one of the biggest barriers to effective conservation efforts – the expense is simply too high.
Advances in drone and artificial intelligence (AI) technology coupled with high-definition imaging, cloud computing and data interpretation have combined to shake up the conservation paradigm.
Enter, POLLi, a hyper-accurate conservation software system developed in partnership with drone company Botlink, automation firm Simple Business Automation and Belgian AI company Radix.
Automating conservation data capture
POLLi is now being used by the Monarch Joint Venture, a partnership of federal and state agencies, NGOs and academics, who are working together to conserve the Monarch Butterfly in the US.
"What we've created really provides an economical solution to help (people) capture, collect and evaluate at a level that they've never been capable of doing before," said Greg Emerick, the CEO of Simple Business Automation in an interview with Inforum.
"There are just so many different things that can be done with the tool.
“It will help from a sustainability perspective across all sorts of species and benefit all sorts of different insects and pollinators."
Wendy Caldwell, executive director of Monarch Joint Venture, said POLLi offered conservationists highly accurate data. The technology can leverage bespoke algorithms designed for specific purposes – in this case, identifying flowering plants that offer nectar to feed adult monarch butterflies.
“So far, it’s been great. We’ve been super happy with this,” Caldwell said.
“I think it’s going to be a game changer for how we look at conservation," Caldwell said.
Botlink general manager Matt Sather expects the technology will have applications in other areas of conservation, as well as in agricultural and industrial sectors.
“At the end of the day, what are drones actually good for? They can go where humans can’t, they can get there fast, and now with camera technology, can take incredible pictures,” Sather said.