Using digital tech to support biodiversity
06/17/2025
Digital technology is increasingly integral to global conservation efforts – from GPS-tracking collars that monitor the migration patterns of African elephants , to drones and satellite imagery measuring the impact of deforestation in rainforests such as the Amazon.
But it’s not just at a global level that digital technology can make a difference to wildlife and biodiversity. In this article, we’ll look at some of the ways technology can be used by allotment associations, gardening clubs, and community wildlife and conservation groups.
Recording animal numbers and behaviour
According to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), one of the best ways individuals and groups can support biodiversity is by helping efforts to build an accurate and up-to-date picture of the state of the UK’s wildlife.
Some allotment associations, such as East Sheen Allotments in London, have published ‘action plans’ that include pledges to conduct wildlife surveys and contribute data to local databases of plant and animal species.
Digital technology can be used to help gather evidence about animal numbers, movements and behaviour under different conditions. For example:
- Camera traps are great at providing insights into elusive nocturnal animals such as hedgehogs and badgers, for example local population sizes and preferred habitats.
- Microphones can record the sounds of birds, bats, and other animals, providing insights into their numbers and behaviour in a local area. In one recent project, the Zoological Society of London used AI-controlled microphones and cameras to get more detailed information about the population sizes of a range of different species, and pinpoint specific roosting areas for species such as bats, so they could be better protected.
- Drones fitted with high-resolution cameras and sensors are revolutionising wildlife monitoring at a global level, as they can gather information about animals in vast or hard-to-reach areas, such as wetlands and dense forests. But even here in the UK, drones can play a role in wildlife monitoring, for example surveying bird nests.
If you’ve recorded some animal footage using cameras, drones or microphones, and want to share your findings with a national or local wildlife database, there are a number of resources that can help, such as iNaturalist and iRecord. See the NBN’s guide to recording wildlife.
Identifying plant and animal species
If you have recorded some wildlife footage, it’s possible you may not be entirely sure what you’ve captured! Luckily, there are plenty of digital tools and resources that can help you to identify plants and animals.
iSpot is an online community where users can upload photos of plants or animals and get help identifying the wildlife they’ve discovered.
There are also a number of AI-powered tools that can achieve similar results without human input, from eButterfly – an app that as the name suggests helps identify butterfly species – to PlantSnap, which does the same for flowers, mushrooms and other plants.
In addition to these types of app, there are others, such as Planta and Fryd that go beyond identifying plants to provide tips on how best to look after them, including spotting signs of disease. While apps are no substitute for years of gardening experience, they can complement the hands-on care that gardeners and allotment holders provide. They can also make recommendations for planting techniques that may support biodiversity, such as Planter’s companion planting tool.
Risk and insurance considerations
Relying on a plant care app isn’t likely to expose your allotment holders to much risk – beyond disappointment if the app’s advice doesn’t yield the expected results! However, use of some types of digital technology might introduce risks that need to be planned for and mitigated. There may also be implications for your insurance coverage.
For example:
- If using drones (or any other kind of recording equipment) to capture footage, it’s important to ensure there is no recording of private property or individuals without consent. Drones equipped to record footage also need to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and operated according to CAA rules.
- Drone operators should also check with their insurer if their proposed use of drones is covered under their public liability insurance, as there have been instances where drones have crashed, causing injury to people or damage to property. Use of drones typically requires specialist underwriting and the addition of special policy endorsements. This may mean you need to answer additional questions, and incur additional charges, before cover can be provided.
- Camera traps should be installed in a location that avoids disturbing wildlife habitats, while also minimising risks such as trip hazards for allotment users and members of the public. This article from the Wildlife Trusts offers tips on the best way to set up a camera trap.
- Be aware that while insurance policies may cover some of the risks you could face when using cameras or other movable objects outdoors, for example fire or accidental damage, other perils, such as theft or weather-related material damage, are typically excluded from cover. Speak to your insurer if you are unsure about what’s covered and what isn’t.
In addition to ensuring you have suitable insurance cover for your proposed activities, you should also carry out a suitable risk assessment and document this. See the Local Community Advisory Service (LCAS) Guide to Risk Management for risk assessment examples and templates.
How Zurich Municipal can help
For more on the risk and insurance considerations of using chemicals, see our article:
To find out more about some of the services we offer to help our customers better manage their risks, visit our Zurich Resilience Solutions page.
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