Forests do not exist in silos, nor do their inhabitants. In the 21st century, forests face numerous conservation challenges due to rapidly increasing anthropogenic influence and competing land usage, resulting in habitat fragmentation. Studies, such as one published in the journal Science, indicate that over 70% of the world's land area is affected by habitat fragmentation due to human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and deforestation. This fragmentation isolates wildlife from once continuous habitats, increasing their vulnerability to shortages of food and space, as well as to disease outbreaks and calamities like forest fires and floods.
As technology continues to advance, geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as valuable tools in wildlife conservation. Geospatial technology plays an important role in creating forest maps that lead towards a comprehensive plan for wildlife management and economic development over the landscape. It provides means for quantitative modeling of potential habitats. Geospatial connectivity analysis evaluates the degree to which landscapes facilitate or impede wildlife movement between habitat patches. Metrics are used to quantify landscape connectivity and identify areas where corridors are most needed such as:-
- Effective Mesh Size
- Circuit Theory
- Landscape Permeability
Over 50 percent of elephant habitats in Odisha fall within 11 protected areas, including the Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh, Kuldiha, Satkosia, Baisipali, Chandaka-Dampara, Kotagarh, and Badarma. Nine elephant reserves have been notified in this area.
Hence, it is imperative that modern approaches to economic development are planned and executed with wildlife conservation in mind.
In our various projects, our teams have found that the GeoAI precisely determines and predicts the path of wildlife movement, which helps us and other agencies design projects without hindering wildlife. One notable project worth mentioning is that of the East Coast Railway project. Using GIS technology, we identified key crossing locations for elephants and created multiple underpasses for the safe movement of pachyderms.
GeoAI is a valuable asset in conservation efforts, helping to protect natural environments and promote sustainability. It uses extensive geospatial data and advanced AI technologies to support informed decision-making. This approach is crucial for the protection of endangered species, the maintenance of ecosystems, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Conclusion
The integration of geospatial technology and AI signifies a transformative shift in traditional conservation strategies. By facilitating precise data analysis and predictive modeling, GeoAI empowers stakeholders to design more effective wildlife corridor plans and make decisions that protect biodiversity and ensure sustainable co-existence of human and wildlife populations. This technology not only aids in creating more sophisticated and adaptive conservation strategies but also sets a foundation for future innovations in environmental protection. Embracing these advances will be key to navigating the complexities of modern conservation challenges.