Technical Officer – IMOS Animal Tracking Facility
7 February 2023 12:30pm
Call for Proposals: 'Special Feature: Innovation in Practice'
7 February 2023 11:56am
Open Source Photogrammetry Software
15 June 2022 9:43pm
28 June 2022 10:21am
Hi Lindy, ODM has a steep learning curve but is fantastic once you understand it. I have much better results than from commerical services, although we were just stitching fairly small (<10ha) areas.
Have a look at WebODM Lightning, this is a paid-for, but very cheap, processing service using ODM that is more similar to commercial services (upload your images, press go). You can upload using the web interface or a Windows app.
7 February 2023 11:39am
Hi Lindy,
WebODM has now a native Windows installer version which costs around 147 $ once - https://opendronemap.org/webodm/download/.
Is has almost all the advantages of the high priced softwares and even presets for some use cases.
Best regards!
Steffen
Field testing of a radio telemetry system to be deployed in the sea.
24 January 2023 6:52am
27 January 2023 1:30pm
Hi Hari,
A simple test we do is pump the unit up slightly (maybe 1 psi), and check for bubbles. It's like fixing a flat on a bicycle. The positive internal pressure opens up and exposes any questionable seals. Most of the leakage problems tend to be of the shallow water variety, which this test finds. Deep water leaks are more rare, since the pressure tends to close up any cracks.
Otherwise the SOP is to lightly grease all O-rings and seals, and assemble the unit in the lab to prevent sand etc. from sticking to the greasy O-rings.
Thanks
7 February 2023 6:53am
Thanks Harold
Are O-rings the only defense against water leakage you have? We are potting all the electronic components inside our tags with resin, but water still finds its way into the electronics. We are thinking of incorporating o-rings in our next steps.
How do I get started with setting up my camera trap to monitor wildlife?
6 February 2023 5:42pm
Project introductions and updates
2 August 2022 11:21am
4 February 2023 2:53pm
@jamiealison : OpenCV for image processing and PyTorch for classification
@tom_august : We'll work on accumulation curves this summer to compare different schedules/sampling approaches; we don't have enough data to answer your question yet. Regarding the camera we were using a RICOH WG-6 but the image quality is not good enough so we will replace it and are looking for other options. Which one did you use?
5 February 2023 7:25pm
6 February 2023 1:19pm
This is very helpful, thank you! Looking forward to hearing about your camera tests.
What events are you looking forward to this year?
16 January 2023 2:37pm
27 January 2023 3:47pm
I am looking forward to the SRI2023 conference ( link below )
If you're mostly busy getting your tech to work, it might be a bit out of your comfort zone.
However, if you're at the point of realizing that the local community, their neighbors, their ( local ) government, companies with an interest, and many other actors all have some bearing on the tech that you are setting up, and all may have an interest in the data that you are capturing ... then this conference may be a place to start.
This is the third SRI conference, and, frankly, I have been to none of the previous for practical reasons, so I don't know exactly what to expect. Perhaps it is too high level for me, but I am looking forward to it.
6 February 2023 9:34am
Is ICCB mostly academic or is there typically a lot of involvement from NGOs and companies?
6 February 2023 10:41am
It's pretty big for NGOs and I would say there is growing involvement from companies? But it's usually those with strong conservation partnerships. The bigger one is World Conservation Congress - but this is only every few years. We've put in a workshop aligned with our movement ecology work, will likely do some talks, and will be hosting side events (both networking and meetings). I'm hearing about quite a lot of other tech events/conversations being organised, so it should be a good place to connect with a good cross section of the conservation tech community.
Commercially available connected audio sensors
2 February 2023 3:08pm
2 February 2023 3:55pm
Hi!
I am not aware of any such connected loggers/recorders but they would be nice.
The AudioMoths have been revolutionary in providing audologging at a low cost but they take a lot of "data muling" (carrying SD cards in and out of the field sites) and swapping of batteries.
Cheers,
2 February 2023 7:50pm
Hi Lars, thanks for the response. We are using lots of Song Meter Micro's atm and they have proved to be resilient. Just need something which doesn't involve going on site regularly - but get the data off.
3 February 2023 7:04pm
Rainforest Connection's (RFCx) Guardian devices may be of interest. They are solar-powered and have connectivity options for Wifi, GSM and satellite transfer. They've previously been used for detecting e.g., gunshots or chainsaws (using edge computing) and then sending positive detections/alerts to folks on the ground. RFCx also hosts Arbimon, a free, no-code software platform that facilitates analysis of audio data as well. Happy to chat more if you'd like to talk further about it!
Call for Data: A Global Database of Tree Crown Footprints from RGB Imagery
3 February 2023 11:22am
3 February 2023 7:01pm
You should definitely talk with Ben Weinstein and co (the folks behind DeepForest), if you haven't already!
Artificial Intelligence and Conservation: Indigenous AI
3 February 2023 4:40pm
Crowdfunding for GPS loggers for a threatened shorebird
3 February 2023 3:54pm
How to conduct rapid eligibility assessments for forest carbon projects using geospatial data
3 February 2023 3:32pm
Job: Building a network of conservation tech across continents
2 February 2023 1:50pm
Telemetry and tracking Snakes
30 January 2023 2:44pm
31 January 2023 6:29pm
Hi Huascar!
I have no experience with tracking snakes.
If I was you, I would start by having a look at a goggle scholar search like this:
Another place to ask for advice from experienced users would be to find some snake tracking researchers on
Good luck!
2 February 2023 1:47pm
Hi Huascar, how are you? there's limitations on snakes since their body form and behaviour, if you leave a VHF or GPS tag as an external fixation it will get tangled with roths and branches and it will fall, besides you have to suture and it can cause infections.
So far you only got implanted VHF transmitters, that's the most common, lonlasting and safe fixation method.
There's an alternative of using Tegaderm as a external fixation method but with ecdysis will eventually remove it.
any doubts please write me [email protected]
Cleaning audiomoth circuit board
17 January 2023 11:42am
27 January 2023 8:44pm
Thanks for sharing your experience Harold!
28 January 2023 5:40am
I'd also add that if the boards are just dirty or dusty, you can just remove all batteries, then wash with a toothbrush and water. Air dry (or use compressed air which speeds things up greatly) and then spot clean areas that need solvent with isopropanol as Harold mentioned. Also if you don't have access to conformal coating, you can also use a non-conductive clear lacquer. The conformal coating covers all the components and prevents short circuits due to conductive water (ie: salt water) or other contaminants. However if you do use a conformal coating, make sure all cables are connected first and the device is in the exact state that it will be deployed in. Also don't conformal coat the battery connectors since you'll want to change out batteries periodically.
2 February 2023 8:13am
Hi Akiba,
thanks for your this great advice! I used the conformal coating on parts
of the PCB with exposed metal but was has hesitent using it on the "backside" with
all the resistors and transistors. Also what about the "back" of the microfon. Might this side be coated?
Do you have any experience with coatings @alex_rogers
Greetings,
Robin
Hydromoth settings
9 May 2022 5:03pm
29 January 2023 12:44pm
Hi Robin,
Did you ever get any responses to your query? Just recovered a hydromoth I was testing for MPA monitoring, but all the files have no audio on them. Was curious what others were doing underwater.
Jake
2 February 2023 8:04am
Hi Jacob,
you are the first one but I have been talking to other scientist
about their projects. Right now we are recording and hopefully automatically detecting Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) vocalisations.
Did you find out why your files were empty or was the sound level just too low?
Greetings from Austria,
Robin
Key Conservation Platform Launch Party!
2 February 2023 6:17am
pseudoranges
31 January 2023 9:10pm
1 February 2023 8:38am
I really agree with you that this technique of using pseudorange positioning is important in animal tracking, and if this technology is open source it will really boost the development of DIY tagging greatly. Thanks for sharing!
1 February 2023 6:26pm
Although it is not explicitly stated anywhere, I believe SnapperGPS uses similar "pseudorange" methods.
2 February 2023 3:24am
Thank you very much for finding these materials. I also tried to find similar techniques using pseudorange positioning a few months ago, but unfortunately I did not find so many papers and such creative works at that time. Your materials seemed to open it up for me. most sincere thanks!
Suggestions for user research/co-design methodologies
9 November 2022 11:32am
16 January 2023 2:57pm
Hi!
Rainforest Connection is currently in the process of UX/UI research for our audio data analysis platform, Arbimon. I'll forward this thread to our lead on this.
The folks at ConservationX might have some insights as well with testing of the NABIT and Sentinel.
16 January 2023 3:06pm
Pinging @samkelly
31 January 2023 3:01pm
Hi,
I'm the UX researcher at Rainforest Connection (RFCx). I use research methods such as interviews, usability testing, and card sorting to understand scientists' pain points and needs while using the bioacoustic monitoring platform, Arbimon.
In terms of tools, I use Figjam for brainstorming and mapping, Notion for a research repository, Zoom for interviews, and Figma for prototyping. I'm exploring how to use ChatGPT to speed up my process too! I use it to draft recruitment emails, summarize transcripts etc. I try to use tools that are either low-cost or that RFCx already has subscriptions of.
Since I'm a UX team of one, I also partner with University student groups/practicum courses to let UX students take on some of our projects.
Feel free to reach out; I'm always happy to chat.
Consultancy opportunity: Wildlife monitoring specialist
31 January 2023 11:26am
Gender Equality in Conservation
30 January 2023 10:27am
Solar panels in the tropics
26 January 2023 12:28am
27 January 2023 1:23pm
Hi Tom,
I'm with Akiba, you have to test. A collaborator has deployed solar-augmented kit in secondary jungle and some of them got enough light, and others didn't, so it can work. The open circuit voltage of solar panels doesn't change a whole lot in dim light, but the current drops drastically. So you would choose an oversize panel of the same voltage (or a bit higher).
Thanks
27 January 2023 3:56pm
I've been intrigued by this topic. Thinking about ways you could use drones or some kind of launcher to deploy panels above the canopy. Sadly I live in the great white north so I have no way of testing any concepts. Maybe even some kind of solar balloon that could float above the canopy. Interesting design problem.
30 January 2023 10:10am
Hey Tom,
Since the output is dependent on a couple of factors such as the solar irradiance of the place, shading from the canopy, the type of solar panels (mono, poly or amorphous) and orientation of the panels, etc, I'd suggest you use a software to simulate the different parameters to get an almost accurate estimation of the output. You can try PVsyst- it has a free month trial (I haven't used it before but I hear it's great) or any other PV software :)
Africa in Conservation Biology
30 January 2023 8:42am
Society for Conservation Biology just launched their "Africa in Conservation Biology" platform, designed to enhance the visibility of African and/or Africa-based conservation professionals.
Could be a great place to find funding, networking, and professional development opportunities!
Deep Sea BRUVS Development
28 January 2023 1:41am
Welcome to WILDLABS!
29 October 2015 5:16pm
25 January 2023 3:31pm
Thanks Lars!
27 January 2023 4:09pm
Hey Lars! Love how active you are on here. AI/ML detection is next on our list! The tech is evolving so fast its hard to keep up but I am actively researching it. My cousin just did a project using computer vision for bison herd management. Very cool tech space.
27 January 2023 6:00pm
Hi Brett!
Thanks! Pure procrastination on my side. I find it a bit of a pity how quiet it can be here sometimes...
The project you refer to sound super interesting. You should get your cousin to join Wildlabs and tell us about it. As part of my job, I am monitoring muskoxen at our research station in Greenland. Perhaps we could get some ideas!
camera with fast trigger- and recovery time?
12 January 2023 6:56pm
23 January 2023 1:00pm
HI Stephanie! Regarding your issue with the timestamp: Is this in the EXIF data of the photos?
27 January 2023 2:32pm
Hi Lars, yes it is and the picture management software I use is also able to read the EXIF data with the correct time stamp. It is just unconvenient for our workfklow, to not be able to read the time stamp right away from the picture. But it is not really an invincible obstacle.
27 January 2023 5:40pm
@Stephanie as luck would have it, I recently released some firmware for Browning BTC-7E-HP5 and BTC-8E-HP5 cameras that contains a number of feature enhancements, including the oft-asked-for seconds-level resolution on the Date/Time in the image info strip. See my recent blog posts on the topic, which incudes pointers for where to find the firmware images. Links below
Reasonable price for drone pilot (south africa)?
27 January 2023 11:20am
27 January 2023 2:59pm
I am no expert, but I'd be curious about the answers. I mean if that is a reasonable amount, I am going to buy me one and change career. ;-)
Perhaps it is reasonable considering that the number of jobs they get throughout the year is low and I guess that training with official certificate is not cheap.
Another consideration : non-toy drones do not come cheap. If they bring their own and take the risk of loosing it.
ChatGPT for conservation
16 January 2023 10:04am
27 January 2023 10:27am
I've been using it a bit for GIS and remote sensing. Automating code snippets and fixing errors.
Also used it for a few excel queries and some marketing related tasks.
What I'm so excited about is if it is this good now what's ai going to be like 10 years from now?
I really think 2023 is the year ai is going mainstream and people are going to have that 'aha so this is what it is all about moment'.
27 January 2023 10:40am
Great idea for a discussion Isobel. I was thinking also that it is likely to be a tool for good (rather than evil).
I have no idea how to use it (was googling about it yesterday...), so any infom shared here within WildLabs would be greatly received by many, I believe.
C.
27 January 2023 1:31pm
Really excited to see ChatGPT making waves even in this community! I think there's a huge amount of potential for not just ChatGPT, but LLMs (large language models) and NLP (natural language processing) more broadly, to have concrete impacts on conservation. Like others have already mentioned, it can definitely be useful as a coding assistant, especially for people who don't have the strongest programming skills (and I recommend anyone to check out tools such as RTutor if you haven't already!). Beyond that, the utility within the context of scientific research could be quite potent. Climate scientists have begun to leverage NLP in a variety of contexts, e.g. using ClimateBERT to analyze climate risk disclosures, and I have seen conversations about the possibility of using NLP to analyze biodiversity offset initiative reporting, for example. Personally, I also see some really exciting opportunities for using ChatGPT and other NLP tools to assist in knowledge management, synthesis, dissemination etc.
I have some pretty concrete ideas about what this could look like, but more than anything I'd be really curious to discuss it in this community to see what use cases people can imagine! @StephODonnell if you're looking for someone to facilitate a conversation on this I'd be happy to host! I've been hosting some conversations on ChatGPT within a different industry and it's sparked some really cool conversations 🤗
Thinking out loud
24 November 2022 2:21am
2 December 2022 6:23pm
Hello Naomi
Using a remote reward device is not unusual for detection dog imprinting. I prefer a clicker so that I can transfer to field training easier than with a remote reward device. With the remote reward device, people typically people also use a place board for the dog to wait on. There are videos online of the remote reward device system being used in detection to give you some idea of the protocols.
Feel free to ask any questions,
Paul
27 January 2023 12:10pm
Hello Paul,
Sorry for the late reply. I have been looking through your YouTube channel and it has been very insightful. I will be making a firm foundation to my project by mid this year and will definitely get in touch soon.
Thanks again!
Naomi
18 June 2022 8:45pm
You might check out what's listed in the Directory - for example, DroneMapper, though this is paid (not sure if they'd give you any discount). The one I have heard most about is OpenDroneMap though. Or perhaps check out GeoNadir?