Technology
Tools
Harnessing innovation to measure, monitor, and guide rewilding at Dunsany Estate.
Technology in Action
At Dunsany Estate, rewilding meets innovation.
We combine traditional ecology with cutting-edge technology to measure, monitor, and demonstrate biodiversity change.
From GIS satellite surveys that map our landscapes, to AI sensors that identify insects in real time, these tools give us the credible data needed to track progress, adapt management, and share transparent results with our partners.
Importance of
Technology in rewilding
Rewilding depends on more than just letting nature recover. It requires credible data to show change, guide decisions, and build trust with partners. Technology provides the evidence behind the story.
From satellites and drones to AI sensors and freshwater monitors, these tools allow us to track biodiversity, assess ecosystem health, and prove the real impact of our restoration work.
They bridge the gap between ecology and evidence, ensuring our results are both transparent and scientifically robust.
Explore our main tools
Tech Tools at Dunsany
GIS Satellite Surveys
Map and monitor landscapes at scale – identify woodland, meadows, wetlands, and farmland, tracking how they expand and shift over time.
Build long-term ecological baselines – establish data that allows us to compare today’s habitats with future conditions, showing measurable change.
Support environmental accountability – provide reliable evidence for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), ESG reporting, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tech Tools at Dunsany
Drones
Capture ultra-high-resolution imagery – survey habitats in detail, from the canopy structure of ancient woodland to seasonal changes in meadows.
Detect changes invisible on the ground – spot signs of erosion, encroachment, or species distribution shifts that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Enable fast, flexible monitoring – collect data in real time, allowing us to adapt management practices quickly and share progress visually with our partners.
Tech Tools at Dunsany
Trail Cameras
Record elusive or nocturnal species – monitor foxes, badgers, pine martens, and deer around the clock without human disturbance.
Provide verifiable biodiversity data – every image or video is timestamped, creating reliable records of species presence and activity.
Bring rewilding to life for people – authentic footage is used in reports, presentations, and public engagement to show rewilding in action.
Tech Tools at Dunsany
Freshwater Sensors
Measure vital water quality indicators – including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nutrient levels to assess ecosystem function.
Detect early signs of stress – identify pollution, eutrophication, or oxygen depletion before they threaten wildlife recovery.
Guide restoration of rivers and wetlands – ensure that rewilded watercourses and ponds are healthy, resilient, and capable of supporting diverse aquatic life.
Tech Tools at Dunsany
Polliknow Sensors
Effective monitoring of wild pollinator populations has become essential for understanding population trends, habitat requirements and the success of conservation interventions.
As nature restoration projects create opportunities for habitat enhancement, comprehensive monitoring ensures these projects deliver measurable biodiversity benefits.
Polliknow sensors measure Temperature, Light, Humidity, Wind, Sound, Video, & AI Insect Identification.
Deliver multi-sensor environmental monitoring – track weather, microclimates, and habitat conditions continuously across the estate.
Use AI to identify pollinators in real time – monitor insect diversity and abundance, vital for understanding ecosystem health and recovery.
Create robust scientific datasets – share credible, high-volume data with universities and research partners, strengthening the evidence base behind our work.
Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count)
There are concerns that the numbers of pollinating insects such as wild bees and flies are declining. More data is needed to be able to track changes in abundance. The public and landowners are encouraged to track what they can, when they can. You can help by doing a Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count) which is designed to collect new data on the numbers of flower-visiting insects.
FIT Counts are very simple – you watch a patch of flowers for 10 minutes and count how many insects visit. It is a very useful tool for individuals, community groups and others to measure change in their local biodiversity. If you’ve taken action as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, carrying out FIT Counts throughout the year and across future years will help track the impact of your actions on insect numbers and diversity.
The easiest way to carry out a FIT Count is to use the FIT Count app. All FIT Count data can be entered in the field – no internet signal required. Watch the video below to learn more about FIT Count by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
