Technology and communication solutions are key to effectively advance conservation and forestry long-term across Africa. Through satellite tracking technologies and constant, location-independent communication systems, biodiversity can be protected across the continent by maintaining effective, reliable communications between different key individuals and assets in conservation and forestry projects.
Over the years, worldwide human activities such as farming, logging, and poaching have negatively impacted various habitats, leading to a loss in biodiversity and population numbers of numerous species. As a result of this, satellite solutions are being used more frequently to monitor, track, and gather data to better understand the animals’ movements and population growth of endangered species throughout Africa. Highlighting the impact on the African Elephants, globalCom Head of Sales Kim Bentley states: “African elephant populations have seen drastic decreases in their population owing to poaching, habitat fragmentation, and even retaliatory killing from crop raiding. In order to conserve and even grow the population numbers, having precise data on the herd, habitats and migratory patterns are key.”
The reason many of these conservation efforts have been successful at increasing local populations of endangered species, and elephants in particular, is by tracking populations and analysing the data collected to implement conservations plans. Satellite communication systems and telemetry systems are vital for conservation projects, providing reliable, effective communications and tracking systems in remote and harsh wilderness regions conservation projects take place in.
Successful integration of aerial monitoring efforts and on the ground tracking is crucial for data collection to give a holistic overview and work towards ensuring the success of conservation efforts. On the ground solutions include the Iridium Extreme Push-to-Talk, a feature rich satellite phone that includes a high audio loudspeaker, dust resistance, and enhanced SMS capability. Used as a trusted primary tool by most rangers, the Iridium Extreme can offer wildlife respondents’ peace of mind with an integrated SOS button that enables rapid response in the event of an emergency. Combined with the live tracking rapid response teams can be deployed accurately to any emergency situation, such as poaching incidents or damage to fences.
With regards to Forestry efforts, satellite-based tree cover mapping of forests in the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa has been crucial for forest conservation and growth. Monitoring the effectiveness of forest conservation programmes requires a comprehensive satellite network that stretches beyond-visual-line-of-sight capabilities. This enables conservation projects to monitor how forests are growing and potentially identify any illegal logging activities.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provide the opportunity to obtain accurate data and high-resolution images in a more efficient, cost-effective, and safe manner. The use of UAVs in the conservation sector is not limited to only monitoring species and their habitats, they can also be used for management purposes, technical services, eco-tourism marketing, law enforcement, anti-poaching, and search-and-rescue efforts. Satellite solutions ensure UAVs are tracked in real time and maintain constant communication with the project base.
Since 2008, globalCom has designed and managed the business continuity plan of one of Africa’s largest mining consortiums. This comprehensive contingency strategy uses satellite to safeguard the company’s personnel, assets, and operations in case of disaster, regime change, electrical collapse, and so on. Satellite functions independently of these geopolitical risks, ensuring reliable communication that could save the lives of the thousands of miners underground and protect the company’s invaluable resources.
At globalCom Africa, we take time to understand your project specific needs and then design, implement, and maintain the solutions that will meet these requirements. Because we take the time to listen to your concerns, our communication systems architecture is proactive and scalable. For location-independent connectivity that will empower your conservation projects consult with us today:
