Satellite Imagery for Wildlife Monitoring & Tracking
Satellite remote sensing, machine learning (neural networks processing), geographic information systems (GIS), and global positioning systems (GPS) have greatly expanded opportunities for data collection, integration, analysis, modeling, and satellite map production for wildlife monitoring and assessment. High-resolution satellite imagery gives scientists and researchers increasingly up-to-date geospatial data by using neural networks processing, reliable statistics is obtained for monitoring wildlife migrations, habitat mapping, and tracking endangered species in remote areas of the world to assist in management and conservation activities. With spectral signatures collected for wildlife monitoring and utilizing neural networks algorithms, statistics are obtained during the migration of wildlife, counting adult and calf species.
GeoEye-1 Satellite Map (0.5m)
Wildebeest Migration
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Using high-resolution satellite images and GPS position data, received by collars or tags placed on wildlife, are relayed via communication satellites to scientists and researchers. This technology allows researchers to track wildlife in remote areas of the world. The data collected from GPS and high-resolution satellite imagery allow researchers to identify and monitor wildlife movement, patterns, species numbers, behaviors, and to prevent poaching. By utilizing high-resolution satellite sensors, with revisit times of 2-3 days or by using suitable smallsats, micro, cubic or nano satellites with daily revisit times wildlife can be detected, identified, classified and counted by AI/ML algorithms, supporting a CV or GIS wildlife management system, covering land and aquatic regions around the world.
WorldView-3 Satellite Image (0.3m)
Caribou Herd Migration – North Slope of Alaska
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Wildlife threatened by habitat loss, poaching, deforestation, and other factors, many species are declining at an alarming rate. Poaching has escalated in recent years and new technologies have been used to fight wildlife crime.
View article on Satellite Imagery and GIS Technology Improve Wildlife Conservation in Virunga National Parks, Africa
Scientists and researchers have been monitoring wildlife populations for decades, traditional capture by aerial visualization and tag methods have been a primary tool, but they are not the most efficient when dealing with large animals in remote locations. The use of GPS collar locators, high-resolution satellite imagery at 30cm, and the use of mobile apps all aid in wildlife management. The WorldView-3 satellite sensor with a resolution of 30cm panchromatic and 1.2-meter 8-band multispectral is becoming a great resource for wildlife monitoring. When reliable spectral signatures are available for the wildlife species to be monitored, seasonal statistics can be obtained, through neural network processing, and with high confidence levels.
To understand why and where species are being lost, satellite images offer certain advantages such as watching vast areas of the earth all at once on a regular basis and by making comparisons over time. This provides analysis, assessment, and monitoring of what is happening on the ground which allows researchers and scientists to predict the best areas to protect and manage.
Species are critically declining and facing extinction due to agriculture, climate change, construction, wildfires, droughts, exploitation, and exotic collections. Habitats from forests to our oceans, grasslands,deserts, and wetlands are experiencing decay, and destruction from human activity, and climate change. With the technology of satellite remote sensing, GPS, GIS, and unnmaned aerial vehicles (UAV) researchers and conservationists have the capability to monitor and manage wildlife and their habitats to support conservation.
Wildlife Conservation Presentation
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