MAMMAL FOOTPRINTS MONITOR CLIMATE CHANGE

WildTrack is pioneering technology in South Africa to track small mammals so they can reveal disruptions to ecosystems. It uses AI, data analytics and on-the-ground expertise to protect endangered species. A patch of charcoal is laid down for an animal to step into, and white paper picks up its footprints which are then analysed and recorded in a database.

WildTrack has a project called FIT (footprint identification technology), which can identify species. Track plates are used to collect the footprint images from which the species can be identified. The aim is to develop a  metric for monitoring biodiversity, and because small mammals are a very important part of the integrity of most ecosystems, they make a great metric for assessing the health of these. Computer technology is key to the process.

Using AI, an image of the whole track plate can be taken, with all the footprints on it. This is put through the computer, and      the species is identified from looking at  images of the footprints, without having to take any measurements. The challenge with small mammals is that they're very light and don't leave clear footprints in natural substrate. However, they do leave clear footprints on the pieces of sticky paper, which can be placed in grass, near small mammal runs, or in sand.

Small mammals are excellent indicators of biodiversity disruption because their replacement rate is very fast. This means being able to measure their response to environmental change, be it natural or man-made. For example, if a company wants to set up a factory somewhere and undertake an environmental impact assessment, small mammals can be used as indicators. Once the AI has produced a list of species, it will indicate the health of the environment.

The Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation has offered that research work be done at one of its sites, and funding for the project is from the JRS Biodiversity Fund.  

www.jrsbiodiversity.org