26 April 2017: A world-first project underway at the University of Canberra is helping volunteer conservationists better track the local frog population using modern communication technology.
Assistant professor in network and software engineering Kumudu Munasinghe, research associate Adrian Garrido Sanchis, and Anke Maria Hoefer from ACT Frogwatch are aiming to streamline the process by which Frogwatch volunteers listen to and record frog calls in and around the ACT’s waterways.
“Frogs are a barometer for the health of their environment and a great deal of effort is put into monitoring frog numbers, including here in Canberra.
Dr Munasinghe and his team are the first to develop an ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) technology-based solution to reduce the time that volunteers spend in the field.
“Frog whisperers are spending many evening hours sitting near waterways listening for frog calls and keeping a tally of the various species they hear,” Dr Munasinghe said.
“My project team and I have created an IoT network, which can transmit the frog calls in real time from a remote location to a volunteer’s mobile phone, meaning they can carry out their monitoring wherever they are.
Optus has offered its support for the project, granting access to its 4G network to hasten the transmission of data.
“Having the support of Optus will mean the nodes are connected to a reliable network and the volunteers will be better able to conduct their nightly survey of frog numbers.”
The project is being undertaken in conjunction with Frogwatch, a volunteer-based conservation program which produces a census of frogs for the ACT Government.
Dr Munasinghe likened the system to humans and the waterways communicating via mobile phone. He said it was akin to eavesdropping on frogs’ conversations.
“Three IoT networked nodes will be deployed in the pilot,” he said. “These nodes are connected to the Internet, and using the IoT network means we can reduce the workload for the volunteers so they don’t have to be out in the field to listen for the frog calls.”
Dr Munasinghe and his Smart Things and Networks Research Group is predicting big things for the technology, which he believes will be introduced in areas around the world where monitoring of endangered species is critical.
“This technology can be used for monitoring species that communicate in infrasound and ultrasound frequencies, which the human ear cannot detect.
“The ACT’s frogs are the first group to be monitored using IoT technology, but there’s no real difference between them and some of Australia’s and the world’s other threatened species,” he said.
“The best part is that this technology allows humans to pick up frequencies they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. We’ve developed a system that makes it possible to detect those calls and notify the people monitoring to ensure that nothing is missed.”
Frogwatch is an initiative of ACT Landcare’s Ginninderra Catchment Group. More than 200 volunteers monitor some 140 sites around the Canberra region.
- Dr Munasinghe is available for interview on 0403 677 986.
WHAT: UC researchers showcasing new technology to assist Frogwatch ACT Volunteers
WHEN: Wednesday 26 April, 9:30am
WHERE: Lake Burley Griffin, Commonwealth Park behind Stage 88 [map attached]
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810
Amanda Jones: 0409 140 415