New research develops drone technology for mapping and managing palm species in the Peruvian Amazon

Working with stakeholders to design technological solutions to support their specific needs can help to extend the reach of conservation in the tropics.

A team of academics, co-led by Professor Tim Baker of the School of Geography, developed a low-cost method using drones and AI (deep learning) to map the distribution of palm trees in the swamps of the Peruvian Amazon, which has recently been published in Nature Communications.

Their work uses a new drones-based approach that makes developing sustainable management plans for harvesting palm fruit in this region cheaper and quicker and therefore can help to improve livelihoods within local communities.

Importantly, it promotes sustainable management within landscapes that have exceptional levels of carbon storage.

Prof Baker commented, “New technology and AI opens up new opportunities to solve problems in resource management in the tropics, but only by working closely with communities and stakeholders to address the issues that they face.”

The new research led by first author Ximena Tagle (Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands & Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP), Peru), shows that drones and AI can be used to map tree species at landscape-scales in places where traditional fieldwork is impractical. It also shows that it is possible to encourage uptake of new technology by working closely with partners at all stages of the process.

Prof Baker said, “The fruits of these palm trees are an important resource for local communities. Our approach has been used by the Peruvian Protected Areas Authority (SERNANP) to develop management plans for this resource with two communities.”

Earlier research had identified the potential: “We described the large extent and significant amount of carbon stored in Amazonian peat swamps in previous work. More recently, we have moved to focus on how the resources of these ecosystems - and particularly the market for the fruits of the common palm trees - can be used by communities to support conservation of these ecosystems” explained Prof Baker.

“Working together to solve technological problems to support the specific needs of stakeholders can help to extend the reach of conservation in the tropics. New technology is not an end in itself; it needs to address people’s needs to make a difference.”