At the 2023 CIEEM Modernising Ecology conference, a robot greeted the attendees as they arrived. Was it a glimpse into the future? As with other technologies, robots have the potential to revolutionise ecological surveying, yet this comes with both optimism and concern about possible impacts on our work. To explore the potential of terrestrial robots, as a group of ecological consultants, research ecologists and roboticists, we participated in a workshop organised by Edinburgh Napier University in 2022. This discussion highlighted some specific areas that might present the greatest opportunities or challenges for robots in terrestrial surveying. There was consensus that robots are likely to allow collection of more, better quality data in many areas, and to do so more safely, thus reducing human risk.
Citation
White, P., Le Goff, L., Emery, L., Abrahams, C., Findlay, M., Cook, J., Macleod, K., Deacon, L., Reason, P., Stanhope, K., Wale, M., Hart, E., & Diele, K. (2025). ’Bots on the Ground vs Boots on the Ground: The Future of Robots in Terrestrial Ecological Surveying. In Practice (CIEEM), 27, 47-52
Journal Article Type
Article
Acceptance Date
Jan 24, 2025
Online Publication Date
Mar 1, 2025
Publication Date
2025
Deposit Date
Mar 6, 2025
Publicly Available Date
Mar 6, 2025
Journal
In Practice
Print ISSN
1754-4883
Publisher
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Volume
27
Pages
47-52
Keywords
automation, field work, monitoring, surveying, technology, terrestrial habitats
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
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