Table of Contents
you are in a lush forest. Sunlight filters through the bright green canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Towering trees tower over delicate ferns, wildflowers and colorful mushrooms. A deer hides behind a bush. But there are subtle signs of human intervention: small electronic devices that collect vital data about potential threats such as drought or pests and transmit it miles away.
Although the technology has long been used to study animals and plants in forests, it is evolving rapidly: becoming smaller, smarter and more interconnected. Some devices are so small that they can be placed on a single sheet. “For developers of such devices, the forest represents a completely new challenge,” says Ulrike Wallrabe, professor of microsystems technology. Here, the technology must withstand constantly changing conditions, from fluctuating temperatures to rain and snowfall, and even curious creatures such as mice.
Once operational, the new generation of smart devices will offer unprecedented information about the forest. “Drones already monitor large areas of forest, but they can’t explain why one tree thrives and another struggles,” Wallrabe says. “We need to understand what is happening on a small scale and over time.”
Wallrabe and his fellow researchers are working on a variety of devices that will deploy from the ground to the treetops and transmit data from Germany’s Black Forest to their laboratories at the University of Freiburg. At the same time, scientists and engineers at other companies are also focused on making their devices discreet and ultimately self-sustaining.
Silvanet forest fire sensor
Time is of the essence when fighting forest fires. Sensors attached to the trunks “smell” telltale gases such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and alert firefighters within the first hour, before satellites or cameras can detect open flames. german startup Dryad Networks has built AI into its solar-powered sensors to ensure they can distinguish between real fires and, for example, passing diesel trucks.
viatree
Digital dendrometers free foresters from tedious work. As trees grow, the elastic band around their trunk stretches and transmits data directly to a computer. He lightweight device Brazilian startup viatree It can even be attached to young trees. It also contains a humidity and heat sensor, which provides information on climate impacts in reforested areas.
the guardian
What does it take to catch illegal loggers or poachers? A smartphone is a good start. Rainforest Connection’s Solar-Powered Recycled Smartphone listen for the sound of chainsaws or gunshots within a 1-mile radius. The recordings are transmitted to the cloud for analysis and alerting local authorities in near real time. This device also provides information on the distribution and calling behavior of animals.
BiodivX Drone
As animals move through the trees, they shed DNA through feces, skin and hair. This innovative drone It collects what is known as environmental DNA (eDNA) from leaves and branches, with particles attached to its adhesive strips. Swiss scientists programmed the drone so that it can navigate autonomously through dense forests and constantly hover around branches to take samples.
leaf sensor
Wallrabe and his team at the University of Freiburg have developed a glass capsule which measures the gas exchange between a leaf and its surroundings. It can detect specific chemicals that trees emit under stress, for example in the event of drought, infestation or disease. The capsule is transparent so that sunlight can reach the leaf without impairing its function.
plant-e
When sunlight is limited, most devices run on batteries. plant-ea Dutch company created at Wageningen University, uses a natural process: plants produce organic material through photosynthesis; some use them to grow, the rest ends up in the ground. Bacteria break down this material and release electrons that Plant-e uses to power its sensors.
Drones that drop seeds
To expand and accelerate tree planting efforts, several companies, including the United Kingdom Dendra SystemsThey have developed cutting-edge drones. These drones, loaded with a variety of seeds, hover over target areas and release their precious cargo. This is particularly useful in remote areas that are difficult for humans to access. By recording the exact location of delivery locations, foresters can monitor the growth and health of newly planted trees.
This article appears in the January/February 2025 issue of CABLING UK Magazine.