Rainforest rehab in every sense

CSIRO News (Australia): Sophisticated sensors that measure leaf wetness, soil moisture and temperature are helping rehabilitate rainforest in the Springbrook World Heritage precinct in south-east Queensland. The CSIRO sensors are being used to uncover the microclimatic conditions favourable for rapid natural regeneration of degraded rainforest environments.

A network of ten sensor nodes, connected wirelessly, has been sampling parameters such as rainfall, humidity, temperature, soil moisture and the amount of available light inside the forest every five minutes since May 2008. Over the next two years, another 200 nodes will be installed, some of which will measure biodiversity indicators, such as bird and frog calls.

CSIRO ICT Centre Research Scientist, Darren Moore, said the sensors are solar-powered and have been developed specifically for monitoring the complex, interlinked variables found in natural environments. "In the rainforest, there is limited sunlight under the canopy which means we've had to develop sophisticated techniques to manage power," Mr Moore said. "Our nodes are able to stay on-line, adaptively reducing their workload, to minimise the amount of power used."

Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management spokesman, Jonathan Hodge, said the technology is helping to "push the boundaries of environmental science."...

CSIRO sensors uncovering the microclimatic conditions favourable for rapid natural regeneration of degraded rainforest environments. Photo by: CSIRO