HABITAT MAPPING FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH BORIS HINOJO FROM 3EDATA

*Featured image: Boris Hinojo Sánchez, LinkedIn*

Nature FIRST utilises predictive and preventive capabilities to halt biodiversity decline. These capabilities rely on a data-driven strategy that is made possible by network partners such as 3edata – who collect and analyse data through habitat mapping. But how do these maps work and how are they developed? What is the potential positive impact of these tools? And how did the collaboration with 3edata come about? Join us for a chat with Boris Hinojo, Head of Technology at 3edata, to learn more about habitat mapping for biodiversity conservation and what this means for Nature FIRST.

Ecosystem base maps

For the successful conservation of biodiversity in Europe, protected areas must be properly managed and periodically monitored. This can be done through different methods and with different tools, such as ecosystem base maps. As explained by Boris Hinojo from 3edata, these are maps of specific habitats which can be generated in two ways. They can be done manually, by delimiting plots over a map with a mouse, and defining what type of habitats they are – which is of course very expensive and time-consuming – or they can be generated semi automatically. But what does this entail?

With the help of remote sensing technologies, cutting-edge software, artificial intelligence and machine learning knowledge, 3edata has developed a semi-automatic tool for habitat mapping in protected natural areas. This tool allows them to develop a model that identifies habitats. “Through satellite images and with the help of this model, we can periodically implement this mapping tool to protected natural areas”, explains Boris. “The images are classified by the software, and by analysing the images, we can analyse changes in the ecosystems.”

In the case of Nature FIRST, this is implemented in the four field sites in which we are currently working (the Ancares-Courel reserve in Galicia, Spain; the Maramures Transboundary Area in Central and Eastern Europe; the Danube Delta river, which lies in Romania and Ukraine; and the Stara Planina mountain in the Balkan Peninsula). In this way, it is possible to see if any changes take place from one month to the next, and so if something significant or concerning happens, a timely alarm can be raised – which in turn leads to more effective biodiversity and conservation management. In this sense, habitat mapping is one of the key tools created by 3edata for Nature FIRST.

Satellite vs drone Images for habitat mapping

As noted by Boris, habitat mapping is based on satellite images. There are different ways to have access to these images: some are free, and some are paid. “The free ones may not be as high resolution as the paid ones, but they still give a good idea of what an area looks like”, says Boris. European satellites (like the ones that are part of the Sentinel-2 mission), for example, have a pixel size of 10-30 metres. “This is good for getting a general idea of an area, but if you need to look at something specific, like certain habitats or objects, you need a smaller pixel size”, he explains. Drones can give you a much higher resolution, sometimes down to just a few centimetres. In addition, drones can also use lasers to create a 3D image of an area, which is very precise when operating from this type of vehicle (e.g. LiDAR technologies). On the one hand, drones are expensive, require expertise to use and process the data, and can't be flown every day. On the other hand, satellites have the problem of clouds blocking the view. Therefore, both are useful for different purposes.

“We use different kinds of data to understand different things, like water quality and cyanobacteria in reservoirs. Sometimes we use drones or satellite images, but other times we use sensors on buoys that give us information about a specific point in the water. Our goal is to combine all this data and use artificial intelligence to predict what will happen in the future, based on things like weather patterns and water dynamics,” details Boris. “Right now, we're using free satellite images to study ecosystems, but we're also testing drones and higher-resolution satellite images to see how they can help. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and we use them differently depending on what we need to study,” adds Boris.

Dual role of 3edata: field partner and data analysis

3edata was created in 2016, as a spin-off affiliated to the University of Santiago de Compostela. Back then, Boris and his colleagues already had over 10 years of experience in the field of biodiversity and protected sites management, and they had even been involved in the development of the Natura 2000 network management plan. Their in-depth knowledge of nature and biodiversity conservation is thus a key contribution to the Nature FIRST project.

This is why they coordinate the data collection process, which is a crucial part of the project. The data they collect and analyse makes it possible to assess the issues, needs and conservation goals of the field sites – which in turn allows Nature FIRST to develop tools that will actually fulfil some of these needs.

Boris highlights that throughout the process of developing habitat maps, along with the collection and analysis of data, they work with the field partners, as they have specific knowledge of the vegetation in the various protected areas. Then, after 3edata develops the habitat mapping model for these natural areas, they contrast it with the situation in the field and assess whether it works well or not. “Throughout this process, we are in contact with the agents that know the ins and outs of the field sites’ specific conservation problems, their objectives, and their needs”, explains Boris. “Some of this is, to a certain extent, preliminary work, but it is highly necessary. Otherwise, we can’t give real solutions to real biodiversity management problems”.

Furthermore, Boris makes it clear that while software developers are needed to develop the habitat mapping model, it is a combination of disciplines that makes the project work: without habitat and taxonomy experts, it would be impossible to carry out the task at hand. “While writing the code, questions might come up about how species and habitats behave, and you will need a certain knowledge of taxonomy. Let’s say, for example, that you come across a reed bed while mapping out an area: in fact, a reed bed in a coastal area is not the same habitat as a reed bed in an inland area, and they will not behave in the same way. So knowledge about biodiversity and habitats is very important.”

Due to their thorough habitat and taxonomy knowledge, Boris and his colleagues at 3edata play a dual role in the Nature FIRST consortium. In addition to carrying out habitat mapping, collecting and analysing data, they are also a field partner that focuses on the Ancares - Courel field site specifically. After the mapping, collection and analysis of preliminary data, they collaborate with local agents who manage the protected natural areas in the Galicia region, as they apply the tools and assess their impact on the field site.

*Featured image:* *European Environment Agency*

How the collaboration came about

When in 2021 3edata was asked to be part of the Nature FIRST consortium, they believed that the project’s mission was very much in line with their biodiversity management and conservation approach.

“One of our objectives is to extend and improve the basic applications of habitat mapping: we want to assess habitat’s conservation status on a preventative basis, so that the agents that manage protected areas have enough time to act on threatening issues.”

For Nature FIRST, 3edata wants to develop tools to assess the conservation status of habitats. “One of our objectives is to extend and improve the basic applications of habitat mapping: we want to assess habitat’s conservation status on a preventative basis, so that the agents that manage protected areas have enough time to act on threatening issues. In this way, they can direct the conservation and restoration efforts, or assess the connectivity or fragmentation of the natural area, because this is something that can be achieved through habitat mapping and remote sensing. Then hopefully, these tools will be exported to other protected areas within or outside of Europe”, explains Boris. “The goal is that the model we propose is good enough for more people to use it and demand it, because it is good, it is more affordable than others, it works well, and in turn helps to better monitor and manage the territory, in order to guide conservation efforts,” he adds.

Other 3edata collaborations and their positive impact

3edata’s collaboration with the Nature FIRST consortium is not their first international collaboration: they have previously done some drone flight work and data collection with the Aquacosm network and Wageningen University. In addition, they participated in projects by LIFE, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.

For instance, the project LIFE Wood For Future is an exciting project based in Granada that aims to address the loss of productive poplar groves in the area. These groves have valuable environmental properties, such as purifying the air, filtering water, and recharging aquifers, but are being replaced by intensive agricultural crops. To combat this, the project aims to make poplar crops more profitable and attractive, by educating farmers and landowners on proper forest management techniques, including biodiversity enhancement measures. In addition, the project promotes the value of poplar wood as a structural material: technical analysis is being conducted to ensure that the wood meets specific standards for structural uses in buildings, and it will be included in Spanish and European building standards. With these initiatives, the project is paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly construction industry.

“We are dedicated to developing solutions or processing environmental data to provide answers to customers, specifically in the agro-forestry sector or the water reservoir sector”, explains Boris. “We are happiest when these projects are successful: that is to say, when they actually solve an environmental problem and improve biodiversity conservation.”