Hitachi Vantara executive Brad Surak possesses a strong interest in employing technology to preserve the natural world. At Hitachi Vantara, Brad Surak has collaborated with the nonprofit, Rainforest Connection, which uses bioacoustic technology to support rainforest conservation groups.
For many years, agencies and environmental organizations attempting to prevent illegal logging and other actions that contribute to deforestation have relied on a combination of on-the-ground surveyors and satellite imagery. However, human oversight isn’t enough to capture all instances of illegal activities and satellite imagery is often insufficient to disrupt deforestation as it is happening. The introduction of bioacoustics and internet-enabled technology have made it possible to monitor a wider area of the rainforest in real-time.
Bioacoustics is the study of sounds emitted by living things. Recording technology and data programs that can store, collect, and analyze millions of sounds help create a library of noises naturally emitted by the rainforest. This can help scientists monitor the population levels of endangered species. By incorporating high-performance microphones throughout the rainforest, monitoring agencies can also hear sounds that indicate the presence of illegal logging or poaching, such as chainsaws or gunshots.
