Purpose
This project explored Internet of Things (IoT) and how it can be applied to manage the endangered Tasmanian wedge tailed eagle (WTE) in a landscape involving industrial forestry and electricity transmission infrastructure. Broadly, the IoT utilises sensors, communications networks and user interface systems to support more effective and data-driven decision-making. The outputs from this research enable forest and electricity network managers to make more timely, informed and cost-effective management decisions around operations that interact with WTEs. Who developed: This report is developed as a part of National Institute for Forest Products Innovation program by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Tasmanian Government.
Executive Summary
The Tasmanian Wedge-tailed eagle is listed as an endangered species. Under Tasmania’s forest practices system, managers protect them by using aerial surveys to watch known nests and by setting up no-go zones around those nests during the breeding season. This project examined the application of the Internet of Things for effective, reliable and cost-effective management of wedge-tailed eagles. IoT combines devices such as cameras, motion sensors, communication networks, and user interfaces to improve resource management decisions. The team built and field-tested candidate sensors to track eagle activity. They also deployed a LoRa network (a low-cost, long-range radio system) across a remote area of Tasmania. Together, the sensors and network fed live data on nest behaviour back to managers to guide protection efforts. The project showed that the Passive infrared (PIR) sensor gave the best data for managing wedge-tailed eagles. It worked well with the LoRa network and the online dashboard, which could be accessed from anywhere with internet to help make better decisions.
Benefits to the Forest and Wood Product Industry
While there are still some challenges to work out before this technology can be fully used, it offers the following benefits:
- Improved safety and reduced costs: The IoT system has the capacity to be an alternative to helicopter nest inspections with remote sensors, lowering risks to workers and cutting operational expenses.
- Better decision-making: Data from these sensors helps forest and electricity managers make faster, more informed choices about activities near eagle nests.
Support for animal welfare: The technology reduces disturbance to endangered wedge-tailed eagles by using non-invasive monitoring methods.
