Advanced technology is becoming a key player in forest conservation efforts across the UK. In an attempt to combat climate change and the decline in biodiversity, tools such as drones, DNA profiling, and ultra-sensitive listening devices are now being utilized.
Forestry England (FE) is using these technologies to gather detailed data on wildlife across its 1,500 woodlands. The unprecedented pace and level of detail are aiding in efforts to understand and protect forest ecosystems.
One technique deployed by FE involves harvesting environmental DNA. This genetic material, shed by organisms within an ecosystem, is collected from soil, water and air samples in 21 forests. The aim is to map out the range of species within each area.
In just four months of sampling, this method has identified over 5,000 unique fungi species and 1,000 invertebrate species. This surpasses results from traditional methods used throughout the last century. The data will establish a new biodiversity baseline, allowing FE to track the success of its conservation efforts.
Additionally, bioacoustic listening devices are being utilized in wild areas across Somerset, Dorset, North Yorkshire and Northumberland. This technology is employed to monitor bumblebee activity, tracking their movement via the sound of their wings in flight.
Andrew Stringer, FE’s head of environment and nature recovery, described the data on fungi and invertebrates as ‘mind-blowing’. According to Stringer, these emerging technologies represent a significant advancement in biodiversity monitoring. He suggested that the technologies could eventually result in ‘weather stations for nature’ providing detailed insights into the nation’s forests.
In line with these new strategies, FE is prioritizing landscape-scale nature restoration in its approach to forestry management in wild spaces.
Elsewhere, the Woodland Trust is utilizing laser scanning technology to create 3D models of the UK’s most famous veteran oaks. This project not only creates a digital archive of these ancient trees but also informs future conservation strategies and helps scientists understand the carbon capture potential of such trees.
In Scotland, drones are playing a crucial role in repopulating barren hillsides with native birch. By dispersing tens of millions of seeds along slopes beside the A38, it’s hoped that this will help reduce landslips and surface erosion.
The innovative use of technology in conservation efforts represents a step-change in preserving and restoring the UK’s forests. With the combination of meticulous data gathering and pioneering techniques, scientists are gaining never-before-seen insights into forest biodiversity.
