Rainforest Connection

Phys.Org: Low-cost microphones could be used to help track infectious disease risks in the wild

February 27, 2023

Researchers have shown how sounds recorded by low-cost microphones could be used to help track infectious disease risks in the rainforest and in other rapidly changing landscapes. The study—published in Trends in Parasitology and led by the University of Glasgow—discusses how listening to the sounds of an ecosystem can inform our understanding of factors that drive the spread of disease between animals and people.The findings are the result of a partnership between researchers from the University of Glasgow, Danau Girang Field Center in Malaysia and Rainforest Connection, an NGO which uses sound recording to monitor endangered species and send real-time alerts to prevent poaching and illegal logging in the rainforests.

Huawei Blog: Protecting Italy’s Oasis of Biodiversity

January 26, 2023

Alongside Huawei & WWF Italy, this TECH4ALL project covering three ‘Oasis’ sites in Italy, aims to study biodiversity and protect natural habitats by preventing illegal activities such as poaching. Together we are enabling a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity present, with ‘Guardian’ installation sites chosen to detect illegal activities and monitor biodiversity. To date, the Italy project has collected 272,452 recordings from 72 sites in our Arbimon platform.

Huawei Blog: Safeguarding Biodiversity in Mexico

January 20, 2023

Alongside Huawei, this TECH4ALL project in Mexico is working to protect biodiversity in Mexico’s Dzilam State Reserve in Yucatan. Dzilam State Reserve hosts a rich diversity of habitats and is home to some of Mexico’s endemic and threatened species. Due to human activities and climate change, the local ecosystem is in decline. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is perhaps the most famous species that occurs in the area — it is rare and near-threatened according to the IUCN. The goal is to increase the protection of this species, and others in the area. Read more about what we’re doing in this reserve and listen to species we’re monitoring right now like the Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Jay, and Black-headed Trogen!

Huawei Blog: Protecting Malaysia’s Sarawak Rainforest with Technology

January 16, 2023

Alongside Huawei, this TECH4ALL project in Malaysia is working to protect biodiversity in Malaysia’s Sarawak Rainforest by preventing illegal logging and monitoring their wildlife to better inform conservation efforts. The Malaysia project currently has 874,256 recordings from 7 sites uploaded to Arbimon. The combination of manual validation and pattern matching models has detected 79 species (28 of them categorized as threatened in the IUCN Red List). Learn more about our work in this area and listen to species like the Red Throated-Barbet, the Black Hornbill, and the Bold-striped tit-babbler that are being monitored right now!

Footprint Coalition: Meet the startups developing solutions for the world’s extinction crisis

January 12, 2023

Late last year, 150 financial institutions responsible for $24 trillion worth of assets called on world leaders to adopt an ambitious framework to combat the world’s ongoing, massive extinction crisis. Some targets set at COP15 have been criticized as idealistic, but three startups are “starting the impossible” with one seed, whale, and rainforest at a time. Read about how Rainforest Connection is “starting the impossible” and how the job of protecting rainforests is necessary when addressing the 6th mass extinction.

Infineon: Protecting the rainforest with modern technology: Infineon Technologies and Rainforest Connection use sensor technology to protect vulnerable regions

December 29, 2022

The preservation of rainforests is crucial to prevent climate change. However, illegal deforestation and wildfires threaten the most vulnerable areas of our planet. Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) is extending its collaboration with the NGO Rainforest Connection (RFCx). The partners pursue the common goal of monitoring the vulnerable regions of our earth with modern sensor technology. So that the monitoring technology can not only “hear” but “smell”, both partners are collaborating to equip a number of Guardian devices with Infineon’s XENSIV™ PAS CO2 sensor to increase the protection potential!

African Review Of Business and Technology: Eni to support energy transition in Rwanda

November 30, 2022

Eni, an Italian multinational energy company, has signed four agreements with the Government of Rwanda to develop innovative joint initiatives in agriculture, protection of unique forest ecosystems, technology, and health. The company has also signed an agreement with the Rwanda Development Board and Rainforest Connection, to protect forests and generate carbon credits. The parties will test cutting-edge technologies in areas with high levels of biodiversity. Autonomous drones and acoustic sensors will be used in the experimentation. Using artificial intelligence algorithms, they will detect potential threats and respond to alarms with immediate targeted interventions.

WWF: TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF RURAL BIODIVERSITY

November 30, 2022

RFCx joins forces with Huawei Italy and WWF Italy again to announce the second phase of a project that aims to investigate the impacts of various agricultural practices on the local biodiversity in 8 different oases. Intensive industrial agriculture is having devastating impacts on biodiversity: its various supply chains, in fact, would be responsible for almost 80% of global deforestation, would use 60% of the fresh water available to us for essential activities, and would contribute 23% of gas emissions that are altering the climate causing numerous catastrophic events to the detriment of the planet.

Kaleidoscope Magazine: What is the BIO/VERSE?

November 28, 2022

Introducing the PAM/PUMA BIO/VERSE, a radical platform for creativity, innovation and impact! Through the BIO/VERSE, DEEP BioDATA has deployed acoustic biodiversity sensors with technology partner, Rainforest Connection, to enable on-ground partners, Instituto Juruá, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity along the Juruá River in the Brazilian Amazon.

Cision PR Newswire: Huawei and Partners Explore Conserving Nature with Technology at Huawei Connect 2022 Paris

October 19, 2022

The third stop on the global tour for HUAWEI CONNECT 2022 kicked off in Paris on October 17th, 2022. Themed “Unleash Digital”, the major themes explored by industry leaders, experts, and partners from the ICT and green development sectors included unleashing digital productivity, promoting Europe’s green and digital transition, and building stronger digital ecosystems. Rainforest Connection’s CEO, Bourhan Yassin, attended and presented on the projects we’re running in Europe with Huawei and local partners in ocean, wetland, and forest ecosystems.

RFCX IN THE NEWS