Technology and Geo-informatics in Wildlife conservation
For centuries of time, humans and wildlife have co-existed, living in close association and harmony with each other. This mutual life mode between humans and wildlife has evolved over time into a rather complex interaction; involving utilization of wild resources obtained from these various wildlands by humans to meet their daily needs, experiencing the aesthetic pleasure and feel brought along by these natural resource banks among others. The interplay and ecological balance have as well over time established a set norm and equilibrium in nature.
The ever-increasing ecological crises over the recent times, coming along with adverse sequential environmental impacts have not exempted the integrity of the various wildlands and ecosystems across the globe, leading to drastic changes in habitat structure, changes in animal movement patterns, increased stress levels among animals among other adverse impacts. Additionally, illegal wildlife activities; poaching, illegal trade and trafficking among others of anthropogenic origin have accelerated the threats to wildlife conservation efforts.
The dynamics revolving around wildlife conservation have evolved to embrace technologies fast tracking and catching up with digitization and modernization in the current times. Just as many other spheres and sectors, the use of technology and innovation has been applied in wildlife conservation efforts to inform and foster ecological monitoring and research endeavors. Among these technologies being used include the Geo-informatics (GPS and GIS technologies), remote sensing technologies, drone and camera trap technologies, digitized data collection tools among others. Adoption of these technologies has come along with fast and speedy, and precisely more accurate data collection, analysis and information dissemination about wildlife and ecosystem health. Conservation interventions inclusive of species and habitat mapping, regular and routine monitoring of animal movement patterns within and outside protected areas. This also aids intervene and establish species specific action plans.
Through establishment of both spatial and temporal monitoring techniques based on GPS and Geo-informatics, these have aided in forming firm information bases to inform policy level decision making processes that involve wildlife conservation efforts.
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