Revolutionalizing Forest Monitoring and Conservation Using Internet of Things (IoT): The Challenges and the Opportunities
Wealth Abiola Samuel *
Onigambari Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Irunokhai Eric Aghiomesi
Basic and Computer Science, Federal College of Wildlife Management, Nigeria.
Ademola Samuel Adedeji
Basic and Computer Science, Federal College of Wildlife Management, Nigeria.
Smart Deborah
Onigambari Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Adepoju Oluwatosin Victoria
Onigambari Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Aladeokin Blessing Oluwaseun
Onigambari Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Ayanniyi Oluwadamilola Aduragbemi
Onigambari Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Over some decades, advancement has come to the way forest is being monitored. The process of monitoring the forest area have advanced beyond human-power into technology. Nigeria forests have experience degeneration from illegal logging to encroachment resulting from population growth and agricultural activities. The wildlife species are endangered due to human illegal activities in the forest area. Manual monitoring has achieved some results in keeping the forest safe but there is a need for more effective and real time forest monitoring. Therefore, digital technology should be analyzed for monitoring. Many forests departments in some countries have shifted to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices for real-time forest monitoring and conservation. IoT devices are devices that utilizes sensors to capture information about activities going on in the forest area and alert the monitoring personnel of any illegal activities through an electronic device connected to computer. IoT system collect data from the forest and send them to the cloud server for storage and analysis of activities that are going on in the forest area. This have helped forest officers in curbing many issues like illegal logging and forest fires. It has also helped in conserving wildlife within the forest. This paper discussed some IoT devices for real time forest monitoring and conservation. This manuscript also discussed the components of IoT devices and how they benefit forestry.
Keywords: Forest monitoring, internet of things, digital technology, sensors