5 Key Benefits of Remote Sensing in Biodiversity Measurement and Conservation

Developers and ecologists charged with evaluating land parcels for building potential and biodiversity net gain opportunities often have a lot of acreage to cover and not a lot of time to do it.

Remote sensing can help.

In fact, around the world, remote sensing is revolutionizing biodiversity assessment and conservation efforts.

By measuring radiation (light) emitted or reflected from an area, remote sensing can reveal current habitat conditions as well as habitat change over time, and more. When you are a decision-maker evaluating building sites, from urban areas to farmlands, this distance data, analyzed by AI, provides powerful insights into land planning potential and biodiversity net gain (BNG) possibilities.

Here’s a look at the top 5 benefits remote sensing brings to biodiversity measurement and conservation and what they mean to developers and ecologists.

1. Corral comprehensive, detailed, high-resolution data

High-resolution data collected and delivered by remote sensing reveals intricate details about habitats.

Conventional methods often miss these insights, but remote sensing provides them at scale, fast.

Remote sensing data can be delivered by satellite imagery, aerial photography and drones, LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and radar imaging. All provide detailed views of vegetation and land cover, to determine whether land is homogenous or identify transitional area boundaries. Images of these transitional areas may reveal the extent of habitat types or exhibit adaptive responses to climate change, which are important in long-term biodiversity measurement and conservation.

This precision allows for accurate mapping and analysis of biodiversity hotspots and critical habitats. Remote sensing data combined with field data is a powerful set of information and insights –- to help qualify the extent of strata, or groups of species, for example.

While traditional surveys are detailed, they’re limited to accessible areas. Remote sensing, however, captures data from vast regions and remote and hard to access areas. This broad view spots trends and patterns that ground-level observations might miss.

On a macro level: Remote imagery can reveal deforestation rates, changes in land use, and habitat fragmentation on a global scale. These insights are critical for developing effective conservation strategies and policies.

On a project level: Developers and ecologists gain comprehensive and accurate data insights without direct physical access to locations.

2. Support biodiversity monitoring and management on a large scale

One of the most significant advantages of remote sensing is its ability to monitor large and often inaccessible areas comprehensively. Traditional field surveys can be time-consuming, costly, and limited in scope, while remote sensing provides continuous and extensive coverage.

Satellites, aircraft and drones with advanced sensors capture detailed data across vast landscapes, including remote regions like rainforests, mountains, and marine environments. This broad monitoring helps conservationists track biodiversity and ecosystem health over large areas, offering a big-picture view crucial for effective planning.

To enable systematic ecosystem observations, remote sensing uses multispectral, thermal and LiDAR sensors, among others. It continually monitors areas to provide timely data for informed biodiversity conservation decisions. For example, drones or satellites with thermal imaging can track the movements of some endangered species, providing real-time data on their locations and behaviors.

Remote sensing joins other emerging environmental technologies like bioacoustics and Environmental DNA in empowering field ecologists to collect data faster, better, and cleaner. They play pivotal roles in gathering vast amounts of data quickly, allowing for scalability to meet the immense challenges of biodiversity conservation.

This information is invaluable for creating targeted conservation plans and ensuring the protection of critical habitats. Additionally, remote sensing can monitor the effectiveness of conservation interventions, helping to adapt strategies based on what works and what does not.

On a macro level: Remote sensing has been vital in tracking deforestation in the Amazon Basin, enabling timely interventions to protect critical habitats and wildlife.

On a project level: Developers and ecologists can use remote sensing for biodiversity management — to monitor any areas continuously over time. They can easily track changes in biodiversity to plan for BNG, and to monitor BNG improvements over the 30-year timeframe required by the UK’s Environment Act 2021.

3. Inform cost-effective, data-driven solutions

Efficient data-driven solutions are only possible when based on biodiversity measurement methods that produce plentiful and accurate data.

The extensive field surveys typically used to collect this data can be costly and resource intensive. Traditional surveys require significant labor, time, and financial resources.

In contrast, remote sensing covers extensive areas quickly and exactingly, reducing on-the-ground survey needs and labor costs. After the initial technology investment, acquiring and analyzing remote sensing data is relatively inexpensive compared to traditional methods.

Remote sensing also optimizes resource allocation by identifying areas that need urgent attention. This targeted approach ensures that funds and resources are used efficiently, maximizing conservation efforts. By offering a cost-effective way to monitor large areas, remote sensing allows organizations to collect the data needed to make data-driven decisions for strategic budget allocations.

Remote sensing combined with field surveys can provide enhanced accuracy at optimal cost, providing professionals with additional datasets to qualify and support more objective assessments.

On a macro level: Remote sensing via drones equipped with thermal cameras has been used in wildlife conservation to monitor animal populations and behavior. This reduces the need for labor-intensive ground surveys and minimizes disturbance to the animals.

On a project level: Developers and ecologists save time and effort by surveying land parcels via remote sensing. For a fraction of the cost of traditional field surveys they can support more frequent and widespread data collection for assessment and ongoing monitoring efforts.

4. Detect environmental changes early

Another valuable advantage of remote sensing is its ability to detect environmental changes sooner rather than later.

Early detection is crucial for mitigating threats like deforestation, climate change, and habitat destruction. Satellite imagery and other remote sensing tools can identify changes in vegetation, water bodies, and land use patterns before they’re visible on the ground.

For example, remote sensing can reveal tree health and spot early forest degradation, so action can be taken to avoid significant biodiversity loss. It also helps monitor invasive species, monitoring the spread of invasive plants in protected areas. It supports rapid responses to control these threats before they overwhelm native ecosystems.

With timely information, remote sensing allows for quick intervention, boosting the effectiveness and responsiveness of biodiversity conservation efforts.

On a macro level: Continuous monitoring through remote sensing detects changes in land use, vegetation, and water quality in near real-time. This early warning system is vital for addressing threats like illegal logging, habitat destruction, and invasive species before they cause irreversible harm.

On a project level: Developers and ecologists can rely on remote sensing data to assess current biodiversity baselines against past data inform planning for biodiversity net gain as well as monitor BNG sites to ensure planned biodiversity is achieved and maintained.

5. Improve decision-making with data accuracy and objectivity

Data accuracy and objectivity are vital in biodiversity measurement and conservation.

Remote sensing technologies deliver high-resolution, objective data, reducing human error and bias common in field surveys. For example, satellite images provide precise measurements of land cover changes, vegetation health, and habitat extents.

When integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing enables advanced spatial analysis. This combination produces detailed maps and models of biodiversity patterns. These accurate datasets are essential for informing conservation policies, planning protected areas, and assessing ecosystem health.

With objective data, conservationists make informed decisions and develop evidence-based strategies to protect biodiversity.

On a macro level: Remote sensing data has been crucial in the creation of protected areas and the design of wildlife corridors. By identifying critical habitats and migration routes, policymakers can establish conservation and biodiversity priorities and effectively allocate resources.

On a project level: Developers and ecologists can integrate precise, objective, up-to- date remote sensing data into their decision-making for biodiversity net gain planning.

To safeguard biodiversity and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future, adoption of remote sensing technologies is critical. Integrating remote sensing in biodiversity measurement and conservation is not just an innovative approach; it’s a necessary one.

Learn how you can work with AiDash BNGAI to harness remote sensing benefits for your BNG planning.