Galago FAQ
AI-powered high-resolution remote sensing tech such as satellites, advanced sensors and drone photogrammetry for precision air surveys, remedial investigations and tailored situational analysis.
Biodiversity
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of living species on Earth. Approximately 8.7 million species including plants, animals, fungal, and micro-organisms are thought to exist worldwide. Of these, only 1.2 million have been identified and described to date.
Biodiversity is the foundation to all life on Earth and the ecosystems that exist provide a range of services that humans rely on.
Biodiversity hotspots are areas extremely rich in biodiversity. Plants grow more effectively in diverse ecosystems, especially in tropical regions with warm and wet climates. Research shows
China, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and Malaysia have the highest biodiversity in Asia. In Africa, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa. In Oceana, there is Australia and Papua New Guinea. A tropical rainforest has a greater biodiversity than a desert, tundra, or grassland. Despite covering only 2% of the earth's surface, rainforests are home to over 50% of all plant and animal life.
Having a diverse and healthy ecosystem makes the planet and the species within it more resilient to environmental change and natural disasters. An ecosystem depends on the complex interactions of all species within it to survive and to thrive. A healthy ecosystem depends on a delicate balance between all species, from large carnivores to microorganisms, cooperation and mutual survival is critical between the species that exist within the ecosystem
In turn, ecosystems provide a range of services that humans rely upon. Ecosystem services can be the direct and indirect contributions that ecosystems make to human well-being, having a direct impact on our survival and quality of life. There are four types of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services, this includes provision of food and clean water, climate and flood regulation, oxygen production to name just a few.
Currently we are experiencing the sixth mass extinction in the history of our planet. A hundred to a hundred thousand species are currently extinct every year according to WWF.
According to WWF's 2018 Living Planet Report, worldwide populations of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have declined by 69% since 1970. Currently, over 16,000 animal species are in danger of extinction. Remember those large carnivores we talked about? Today 75% of the world's big carnivores are in decline. National Geographic estimates that "half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century."
As an example, let's look at Borneo. In addition to being the third largest island in the world, parts of it belong to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Borneo is home to orangutans, pygmy elephants, rhinoceros, some of the tallest tropical trees in the world, and 15,000 plant species. Deforestation has wiped out 30% of Borneo's forests over the past 40 years, one of the six key threats to biodiversity identified by WWF, along with agriculture, hunting, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
Biodiversity is threatened by human activities, as you probably already know. There are five main causes of biodiversity loss:
- Land and sea use changes
- Excessive exploitation
- Climate change
- Environmental pollution
- Invasive alien species
Globally, nearly 75% of freshwater resources and 33% of land surface are dedicated to crop and livestock production. A WWF study in the Amazon Rainforest reveals that cattle ranching causes 80% of current deforestation, while agricultural crop production is responsible for the other losses.
The effects of climate change on biodiversity include disruption of seasons, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather. Adapting to specific living conditions has taken millions of years, but thanks to climate change, these conditions are changing faster than evolution can keep up.
Equally, ecosystems which are less degraded and fragmented are more resilient to changes in the climate as the ecosystem has sufficient capacity to support species experiencing climate-related stresses.
Your company may be more dependent on biodiversity than you realize. There is no single definition of how dependent a company might be on biodiversity and the extent of interaction with biodiversity will vary for each organization depending on the nature of their activities, goods and services. Degraded biodiversity can compromise food supplies, disrupt supply chains, and even cause economic losses because of natural disasters that are exacerbated by land in poor quality.
Land developers require consent to progress developments but must ensure significant effect on the natural environment are avoided, minimizing the destruction of habitats and loss of protected species. As awareness of the importance of biodiversity grows, so too will the expectation, rigor and need for greater levels of protection and avoidance of impacts grow, meaning businesses will be held more accountable for their interactions with the environment, whether directly or indirectly.
Almost every company has some impact on biodiversity, but the extent and nature of the impact varies by company and sector. A company's direct impact on biodiversity arises primarily from its land use and waste management practices.
What is the impact your company has on biodiversity? Be sure to analyze the influencing factors along your entire value chain and take into account all corporate areas of action. You should also consider your own ecosystem service and biodiversity dependencies.
Your company may also be causing other direct impacts on biodiversity including:
- Habitat loss
- Ecosystem degradation
- Erosion
- Species extinction
- Water and air pollution
- Water and soil contamination
The loss of biodiversity doesn't just affect distant places; it impacts your company directly, and awareness of the potential impacts you may have is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of the increasingly strict sustainability expectations and requirements of investors and lenders.
Unlike some other stakeholders, companies that have the resources, autonomy, technology, and ability to innovate can contribute significantly to biodiversity. Analyzing your impact on biodiversity and reliance on it is the first step towards taking action.
So you've analyzed your whole value chain and discovered the key factors influencing biodiversity? Next, follow these steps:
- Collect geospatial data and analyze it with the help of Galago’s team of experts
- To protect biodiversity, develop strategies and guidelines
- Based on your research, set measurable, realistic goals
- Be sure to integrate suppliers, customers, and other partners into your strategies.
Even though Indigenous people make up only about 5% of the world's population, 80% of the world’s biodiversity is found on lands that they manage, control, and govern. Due to their reliance on the land for food, shelter, identity, and survival, indigenous people have a deep respect for it.
According to The Guardian, "Indigenous peoples traditionally develop a set of conservation measures that are passed down from one generation to the next, and as a result they should be seen as the best people to conserve that land."
As an incredibly environmentally progressive country, since 2014, Costa Rica sourced 98% of its energy from renewable sources, has reforested large amounts of degraded land and utilizes strong constitutional rights such as the human right to a healthy environment to increase sustainability.
The level of biodiversity protection will largely depend on where you are located in the world. In most geographies there will be a degree of formal protection for areas of biodiversity value. With the passing of the agreement at COP15, where 30% of land is proposed to be protected by 2030 it is likely that in the coming years most companies will have some interaction with protected areas, however, the enforcement of these protections will often vary depending on the resources available to the local government and their ability to monitor such areas.
Going forward it is expected that innovative techniques like the solutions that Galago have developed will be critical to ensuring that protected areas are effectively monitored to ensure the desired outcomes are realized.
The general direction of travel is for regulation and policy to become more stringent when it comes to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. This has recently been reinforced by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was agreed at COP15 at the end of 2022. This provides the basis by which biodiversity loss and degradation should be reversed and has been agreed by almost all countries globally. In the next few years this should be translated to regulation and policy at a national level.
Organizations should expect greater protection of biodiversity and rigor in enforcing these protections. This will lead to greater accountability for organizations and their interaction with the environment and biodiversity. How this manifests within your organization will be dependent on your activities, goods and services and how they interact with the environment. Please reach out to us if you want to explore the likely impact on you further.
Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment. EIAs should ensure that developers and consenting authorities have sufficient information and assessments available to make informed decisions as to the viability of a development.
There should be sufficient consideration of the potential effects on the environment at the earliest possible stage, applying the mitigation hierarchy in order to first avoid, then minimize, mitigate or compensate those impacts.
Key stages in the Environmental Assessment process include:
- Screening and Preliminary Assessment – Is the development of a certain size or nature that means an EIA is necessary.
- Scoping – Based on the local environment which are the key environmental topics that should be considered within the assessment
- EIA study and Environmental Statement (report) – Undertaking of the various assessments and surveys for the EIA and presentation of those within the main report (environmental statement)
- Mitigation and Enhancement – Key measures that look to address the impacts that are predicted to arise from the development and identify opportunities for enhancement
- Examination and Review – Review of all reports and supporting evidence by the consenting authority in order to make a decision on whether the development should be approved or rejected.
- Monitoring - Post-EIA monitoring to ensure the development progresses and mitigation is properly implemented.
Almost every company has some impact on biodiversity, but the extent and nature of the impact varies by company and sector. A company's direct impact on biodiversity arises primarily from its land use and waste management practices.
What is the impact your company has on biodiversity? Be sure to analyze the influencing factors along your entire value chain and take into account all corporate areas of action. You should also consider your own ecosystem service and biodiversity dependencies.
Your company may also be causing other direct impacts on biodiversity including:
- Habitat loss
- Ecosystem degradation
- Erosion
- Species extinction
- Water and air pollution
- Water and soil contamination
The loss of biodiversity doesn't just affect distant places; it impacts your company directly, and awareness of the potential impacts you may have is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of the increasingly strict sustainability expectations and requirements of investors and lenders?
An environmental assessment is concerned with defining and appraising the environment, whereas an environmental impact assessment is concerned with how proposed development or activity will affect the defined environment.
In an Environmental Impact Assessment, the environmental impact of a proposed development is assessed a wide range of environmental topics. Topics could include but aren’t limited to air quality, biodiversity, climate change, cultural heritage, flood risk, human health, landscape, noise, socio-economic, and water quality. Contact us for a tailor-made proposal.
Environmental impact assessments can be used in a range of different development types and the size and scale of the assessment will largely depend on the size and scale of the development and the relevant regulatory regime where the development is located. Please reach out if you want to better understand what you may be required to produce as part of your EIA.
The significance of EIA is:
(1) EIAs are more than technical reports; they are tools for improving quality of life and protecting the environment.
In EIA, activities (mainly human) are identified and evaluated as they affect the environment.
- Reduced cost and time of project implementation.
- Cost-saving modifications in project design.
- Increased project acceptance.
- Avoided impacts and violations of laws and regulations.
- Improved project performance.
- Avoided treatment and cleanup costs.
The effects of climate change, including global warming.
Pollution caused by acid rain, photochemical smog, and other factors
Acidification of the oceans
The displacement or extinction of wildlife
Depletion of forests, water, and food resources
A constant stream of new, more stringent environmental regulations is being passed. Your current business practices and those of your suppliers can be analyzed to determine your impacts on biodiversity and then invest in sustainable business strategies that will complement the environment, delivering positive outcome now, instead of waiting until it's too late.
Transforming data into visual tools into meaningful action for biodiversity conservation. An integrated analysis of biodiversity data and variables relating to anthropogenic pressures can reveal the extent of impacts. Many biodiversity questions can be answered with the help of geospatial intelligence especially when the AI-powered machine learning algorithms perform effective species recognition. EIA screening identifies which proposals should be evaluated, excludes those unlikely to have harmful environmental impacts, and indicates the level of assessment needed. Proposals with potentially significant impacts on biodiversity may be screened out if there are no biodiversity measures included in screening criteria. The screening process results in a screening decision. Biodiversity criteria should be included in existing or newly developed screening criteria, since legal requirements for EIA may not guarantee that biodiversity will be considered.
Geospatial analysis
All types of data can be created, managed, analyzed, and mapped using a geographic information system (GIS). GIS integrates location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like). Almost all industries and science use this foundation for land and natural resources mapping and analysis. Geospatial information systems help landowners and land developers to spot and understand patterns, relationships, and the context of their geographic location. Among the benefits are improved communication and efficiency, as well as better management and decision-making.
GIS technology combines geographic science with tools for understanding and collaborating. Data analytics helps people gain actionable intelligence from all types of data.
Maps contain the data layers and analytics you want to work with. Everybody, everywhere can access and share GIS maps with ease.
Spatial locations are used in GIS to integrate a wide variety of data layers. There is a geographic component to most data. Images, features, and base maps are all included in GIS data.
Using spatial analysis, you can evaluate suitability and capability, estimate and predict, interpret and understand, and much more, providing new perspectives to your insights and decisions.
There are a number of uses for GIS data, including:
- Land and biodiversity mapping
- Services related to telecom and networks
- Hotspot analysis and accident analysis
- Urban planning
- Transportation planning and road building
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Agricultural Applications
- Disaster Management and Mitigation
- Navigation
- Damage estimation after a disaster or flood
- Management of Natural Resources
- Surveying
- Geology
- Maintenance and management of assets
- Community Development and Planning
- Management of National Parks, Forestry, Construction, Road building, Pharma, Dairy Industry, etc.
- Irrigation Water Management
- Pest Control and Invasive Species Management
Yes, you can! Many of our customers use Galago to see the history of their project sites. How far back you can look will depend on a lot of factors, and satellite data has gotten even better in the last few years. Some of our imagery sources go back as far as 2003, and we also work with satellites that just launched in the last year. You can generally expect to see pretty consistent coverage of sites starting around 2015.
Galago OS is a cutting-edge environmental data platform designed to empower your organization with unprecedented visibility and control over assets and operations. Leveraging state-of-the-art data capture techniques such as drone imagery, LiDAR scans, and AI analysis, Galago OS enables the creation of a comprehensive digital twin of your site – a virtual replica that revolutionizes decision-making and transforms environmental management.
Galago OS is a powerful and flexible operating system with advanced geospatial intelligence capabilities that allows us to visualize and analyze data in a geographic context. Developed by Galago which is a part of the leading engineering and consultancy firm Ramboll, Galago OS provides a secure and reliable platform for running mission-critical data collection and analysis for land and biodiversity management often in harsh and remote environments.
Galago OS helps large organizations to optimize their operations and make smarter decisions based on real-time data and complex spatial analysis. It has been specifically designed for use in the pharma, data centers, mining, green energy, infrastructure and road building sectors. Whether you are a landowner, land manager, corporate sustainability lead, environmental scientist or site engineer, Galago OS can help you improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety and compliance.
Imagine being a Land Manager or Ramboll consultant tasked with making decisions on how to monitor an invasive species, assess the ‘health’ of, or calculate the natural capital of a 10,000-hectare remote site, or even across the banks of a railway network, or a tract of land in the hills miles from the nearest town. Suddenly you realize the complexities of trying to assess and make decisions on such huge data sets. This is where Galago comes in. By creating a digitized version, or digital twin of a site we can track, analyze and make all the decisions we need from a laptop, anywhere in the world.
We mean legacy land, superfund sites, remote land, forests, land adjacent to linear infrastructure such as roads or railways, countryside or even any terrestrial locations globally.
It is perfectly clear that we cannot halt the biodiversity crisis by working in isolation, cocooned in our own little world with like-minded people. Working in silos to solve systemic problems simply doesn’t work. The complexity of the interdependencies between human, social and economic systems, and the natural Earth’s systems requires interconnected measures and solutions. We also need to acknowledge that our economic model is rooted in unsustainable consumption and production patterns, and neglects to incorporate the costs of losing natural capital and the benefits we all derive from nature.
Because biodiversity and ecosystems provide the essential infrastructure supporting life on Earth and human development, it should come naturally that biodiversity is placed at the centre of economic and social assessments, as well as political decision-making. We need to build a strong scientific and economic case to demonstrate the relevance of biodiversity to ministers of finance and the investment and business community. We need buy-in and involvement across the industry in addition to top government and political decision makers, we will not see a sea-tide transformative change in the way decisions and actions that impact ecosystems are taken and implemented unless this happens.
Businesses play a decisive role. Business operations depend on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and biodiversity loss is therefore likely to have a significant negative impact on business operations. On the other hand, business operations have a significant impact on biodiversity and ecosystems services. Businesses can therefore make an important contribution to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and to leading transformative change in the decade post 2020.
Transforming our economic model by moving towards sustainable consumption and production can also generate significant benefits to businesses, through more reliable supply chains, cost savings and enhanced protection against natural disasters.
- Support local farms and organic produce
Local and Organic is ideal for you, your business and for the planet.
- Save the bees
The varroa mite is increasingly attacking bees, threatening biodiversity. You can help save them by support planting or preserving nectar-producing wildflowers.
- Plant and protect local flowers, fruits and vegetables
In supporting local wildlife, you contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem health in your area.
- Do not waste water and resources
Biodiversity depends on the abundance of local fresh water.
- Respect, restore and protect local habitats
Plants growing in the parks and nature preserves near you often play an important role in preserving the local ecosystem.
- Know the source of everything you buy and support and cooperate with green businesses
Check the products you buy and the companies you support to ensure that your buying habits are not contributing to destruction of habitat elsewhere.
It is possible to map forest carbon using GIS technology. GIS-based mapping and assessment are effective for geographic planning, identifying environmental changes, and integrating action plans. We make use of GIS data with land, contamination and biodiversity mapping.
What is the role of GIS in biodiversity management?
The use of a geographic information system (GIS) for monitoring biodiversity is essential, since it can accommodate both spatial and aspatial data. Using a GIS, surveys and monitoring schemes can be targeted.
Sustainable land management
Following the extraction of the most accessible and valuable materials, the mine is closed and the site must be restored to its original state. The process involves covering up mine entrances, replanting grass and trees, and testing water, soil, and air for contaminants. This should all be outlined within a management and restoration plan, which details progressive restoration of the site from mine closure through to final restoration. Monitoring of this process is critical to ensuring that the overall conditions placed on the mine and the restoration objectives are met.
A remote sensing system provides the basic data needed to inventory land as well as the temporal information needed to monitor sustainable land management practices. Discover how AI powered remote sensing imagery drones (used by Galago) can contribute to sustainable development by signing up for Galago's monthly newsletter.
What can Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems do to help manage land sustainably?
Geospatial data and aerial images can be collected, viewed, interpreted, and analyzed using remote sensing and GIS for:
- Civil Engineering Environment Analysis
- Disaster Management and Risk analysis
- Growth and Planning in Urban Areas
- Monitoring and analyzing changes in spatial and temporal environments (Land Cover, Land Use)
Landowners can use Galago to map and monitor their land for things such as: invasive species, biodiversity, habitats and vegetation health. Galago can help you determine which native trees, shrubs and grasses are successfully planted, helping you to understand where measures have worked effectively and where alternative techniques may need to be considered. There are two types of agave plants: continuous and staggered. The continuous agave plants create a green wall to control soil and water runoff. Between the rows of agave, other native plants are planted to provide food or medicine. Read the full UN report here.
Drones are powerful tools for land mapping and surveying. By flying above the ground, they can perform 3D mapping, land surveys, photogrammetry, and topographic surveys effectively.
Drones use multiple sensors to capture thousands of accurate data points, including geo-references, elevation points, and colors. In the end, these data points can be combined into a 3D Point Cloud to provide a unique perspective for our clients.
For better decision-making, AI-powered GIS solutions like Galago integrate biophysical and ecosystem valuation. By monitoring natural capital, can geospatial intelligence and bio surveillance "big data" be captured and harnessed?
We are facing a biodiversity crisis on a global scale. Due to the scale and speed of biodiversity loss, biodiversity science is undergoing rapid technological development to identify species, their interactions, and ecosystem dynamics. To meet the biodiversity crisis, national and international policy developments are escalating mitigation and remediation actions. As a result, they can use bio surveillance "big data" as evidence for more comprehensive and impactful policy measures. Developing value-based frameworks for new policy measures is crucial to translating bio surveillance data. AI-powered solutions, such as Galago's, can help achieve this.
Species identification and invasive species recognition
With Galago, you can customize AI-powered technology to recognize specific species you need to know more about. You can identify unknown species that may be invasive using our technology and expertise. In order to help businesses, reach their sustainable goals, we develop and implement image-based species recognition models. In addition, we assist scientists in protecting natural resources.
Land management that is sustainable combines technologies, policies, and activities aimed at integrating socioeconomic principles with environmental concerns simultaneously:
Ensure sustainable production and enhance it.
Improve soil capacity to buffer soil degradation processes, as well as lower the level of production risk. Ensure the stability and resilience of the land
Protecting natural resources and preventing soil and water degradation
Take advantage of Galago's site management solutions and benefit from tech enhanced land management
Sustainability can be achieved only through the collective efforts of those immediately responsible for managing resources. Consequently, farmers and other local decision-makers need a policy environment that empowers them to benefit from good land use decisions while also being held accountable for inappropriate land use.
The accuracy of drone maps created with good quality drone equipment, careful flight planning, GPS ground control points, and processing software can be as high as 2-3 cm horizontally and 5-6 cm vertically. Drones powered by artificial intelligence are extremely precise.
Drone scans can be inaccurate, incomplete, or erratic if not carried out by a trained professional. If a drone is not controlled properly, it can even cause property damage. Using drones and aerial surveying and scanning systems requires training and experience. In addition to being licensed pilots, Galago’s pilots are also environmental scientists or engineers based on the task. A Galago AI drone is specifically designed to identify problems based on your objectives.
Risk assessment & mitigation
After performing geospatial and soil analysis, there are 4 treatment methods to solve and manage soil contamination.
a. Bioremediation of contaminated soil
In bioremediation, organic materials are used to initiate biological processes in soil. In time, these processes will naturally and sustainably remove contaminants from the soil, preventing spills or leaks without adding chemicals.
b. Contaminated soil stabilization
Stabilization of soil is often used in construction projects or on similar jobs. In a general sense, soil stabilization is any procedure designed to bind the soil together to make the area more robust and less prone to erosion and leakage. When treating petroleum or oil-contaminated soil or pharma-contaminated soil, stabilization involves preventing contaminants from spreading.
c. Separation of soil and contaminants
As the name implies, physical separation of soil and contaminants involves removing the contaminant directly from the soil. The soil is usually washed in order to accomplish this. A solution of cleaning fluid diluted with water is passed through the contaminated soil sample during washing. Washing removes fine-grained soil and silt, which are likely to bind to contaminants.
d. Chemical oxidation of contaminated soils
Bioremediation of contaminated soil can be problematic since a soil sample must first be extracted. A treatment that can be effective without removing soil from hard-to-reach spots, such as deep-buried soils, may be necessary for contaminated areas deep beneath the surface of the ground.
For better decision-making, AI-powered GIS solutions like Galago integrate biophysical and ecosystem valuation. By monitoring natural capital, can geospatial intelligence and bio surveillance "big data" be captured and harnessed?
We are facing a biodiversity crisis on a global scale. Due to the scale and speed of biodiversity loss, biodiversity science is undergoing rapid technological development to identify species, their interactions, and ecosystem dynamics. To meet the biodiversity crisis, national and international policy developments are escalating mitigation and remediation actions. As a result, they can use bio surveillance "big data" as evidence for more comprehensive and impactful policy measures. Developing value-based frameworks for new policy measures is crucial to translating bio surveillance data. AI-powered solutions, such as Galago's, can help achieve this.
With Galago, you can customize AI-powered technology to recognize specific species you need to know more about. You can identify unknown species that may be invasive using our technology and expertise. In order to help businesses, reach their sustainable goals, we develop and implement image-based species recognition models. In addition, we assist scientists in protecting natural resources.
As soil and land quality concepts are emerging, they are often used interchangeably, and some consensus exists about how these should be applied:
An ecosystem's quality depends on the soil's capacity to support plant and animal production, maintain and improve water quality, and support human health and habitation (SSSA, 1994).
In addition to agricultural production, forestry, conservation, and environmental management, land quality refers to the state of the land with respect to human needs (Pieri, et al., 1995).
The goal of sustainable land management is to integrate socio-economic principles with environmental concerns in order to simultaneously maintain or enhance production, reduce production risk, protect natural resources and prevent degradation of soil and water, be economically viable, and be socially acceptable (Smyth and Dumanski, 1993).
Mapping soil pollution with drone image recognition and machine learning is an innovative method of risk mitigation and risk management, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals. Using high-resolution aerial imaging (HRAI) and machine learning algorithms, Galago proposes a new method for mapping soil contamination.
Galago uses an innovative approach that combines technology and human expertise. Drones are vital tools within the full scope of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) solutions as well. Drones make EHS solutions more efficient, effective, and safe. Explore how drones can help EHS professionals safely investigate and remediate sites on our LinkedIn page and YouTube channel.
EHS work relies heavily on the technology that powers today's most sophisticated drones.
- LiDAR
The Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) method has quickly become an invaluable tool.
It measures the time it takes for the laser light to bounce off a target, similar to sonar. These measurements are compiled and used to create a precise 3D model of an object or area.
The advantage of LiDAR is that it is capable of collecting data beyond a canopy of trees or other concealing vegetation. Detecting concealed objects or assessing ground formations is especially useful with this technique.
With drone-mounted LiDAR, LiDAR data can be collected more affordably and more easily than with planes, helicopters, or satellites.
- Specialized sensors
A number of sensors analyze pollutants in the air and detect particulate matter in the air. Temperature information is captured by thermal sensors. Sensors that collect information across the electromagnetic spectrum are called hyperspectral sensors.
The specialized sensors can be used in a variety of applications, including remediation of EHS issues.
- Artificial intelligence
Modern drones are powered by artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows drones to fly in complex situations, such as inside buildings, and stitch images together to create comprehensive 3D models. Artificial intelligence speeds up and improves this process.
In addition to being capable of recognizing objects, AI also enables drones to monitor site changes and track object inventories.
The use of drones for remediation reduces the risk of exposure to hazardous situations in a variety of ways.
Some ways drones are being put to use for contaminants investigation and site remediation include:
- Site mapping. As well as measuring and mapping facilities, drones are being used to create accurate and detailed site maps.
- Mapping of watersheds. Drones can map watersheds and determine routes water takes in affected areas with LiDAR, thermal mapping, and other sensors.
- Aerosol distribution. Specialized AI-powered drone sensors can detect concentrations of CO2, CO, NH3, SO2, PM, O3 and NO2 using drones.
- Water pollution. A specialized sensor can detect seepage or detect groundwater infiltration into surface water near polluted areas.
- Plant health. During image processing, light bands in an RGB image are compared. To determine the health of plants, the Visible Atmospheric Resistant Index (VARI) is used.
- Performing difficult inspections. Easily identify large objects through photos and videos with quick, inexpensive remote access inspections. In areas where human access is difficult or hazardous, drones can access those areas.
- Volume and risk estimation. Galago allows you to estimate the volume of excavation materials, catchment capacity, and soil management.
- Leak detection. Using real-time aerial photography and video, routine leaks or unauthorized activities can be detected near critical infrastructure, often in remote areas that aren't visible from the ground.
- Remediation monitoring short and long term. Drones can be used for a number of purposes, including monitoring remediation efforts and measuring contaminated zones.
Galago uses highly skilled drone pilots to collect data with precision. In the field of EHS remediation, technology has advanced, but the human factor makes a difference in how data is gathered.
As drones have replaced feet-on-the-ground and even airplane pilots and satellite monitoring in some cases, pilots who are also engineers or environmental scientists have years of experience knowing what to look for, especially if they are experienced in environmental and health and safety issues. Galago’s experts manage your project from start to finish.
- Management of waste disposal
- Planning for land development
- Construction Site Supervision
- Managing Pharma leak risks
- Invasive species recognition in road building
Sustainability
Businesses may use sustainable business strategies to enhance improve or preserve these systems natural environment while eliminating practices that harm them. In some cases, companies may take small steps to achieve a sustainable goal, such as switching to 100% renewable energy within five years. Other companies might take immediate action, such as switching to recyclable packaging. A strategy might also focus on land restoration and prevention of biodiversity loss. This will all be dependent on the nature of the business and their interaction with the environment.
You can make your business more sustainable by following these tips:
- Find the problem and make an informed decision
- Ensure senior leadership buy-in to embed sustainability within business strategies
- Embrace a sustainable mindset to restore social trust
- Integrate sustainability into your organization's culture
- Utilize the latest technologies to mitigate and control risks
- Connect with Galago and other innovative companies
- Incorporate diverse leadership that also takes nature into consideration
- Set a long-term sustainable vision for your organization and communicate it widely
- Stay accountable and adapt sustainable solutions constantly
Business success depends on sustainable strategies. Sustainable business strategies can benefit the company, the environment, and the local and global community. A sustainable business strategy has a positive impact on the environment. Using advanced technologies such as those provided by Galago can help companies collect data from different periods, compare them, and make smart decisions. The reduction of biodiversity loss and the control of pollution can be achieved through such a strategy.
Land management that is sustainable combines technologies, policies, and activities aimed at integrating socioeconomic principles with environmental concerns simultaneously:
- Ensure sustainable production and enhance it
- Improve soil capacity to buffer soil degradation processes, as well as lower the level of production risk
- Ensure the stability and resilience of the land
- Protecting natural resources and preventing soil and water degradation
- Take advantage of Galago's site management solutions and benefit from tech enhanced land management
Sustainability can be achieved only through the collective efforts of those immediately responsible for managing resources. Consequently, farmers and other local decision-makers need a policy environment that empowers them to benefit from good land use decisions while also being held accountable for inappropriate land use.
As soil and land quality concepts are emerging, they are often used interchangeably, and some consensus exists about how these should be applied:
An ecosystem's quality depends on the soil's capacity to support plant and animal production, maintain and improve water quality, and support human health and habitation (SSSA, 1994).
In addition to agricultural production, forestry, conservation, and environmental management, land quality refers to the state of the land with respect to human needs (Pieri, et al., 1995).
The goal of sustainable land management is to integrate socio-economic principles with environmental concerns in order to simultaneously maintain or enhance production, reduce production risk, protect natural resources and prevent degradation of soil and water, be economically viable, and be socially acceptable (Smyth and Dumanski, 1993).
Land Quality Indicators can be used as evaluation instruments for sustainable land management. To be more than just an attractive, conceptual phrase, land quality, like sustainable land management, requires operational definitions and measurable indicators. Galago's experts provide unmatched situational analysis based on geospatial intelligence.
Land management that ensures positive long-term socioeconomic results is sustainable land management, which includes agriculture, forestry, and land and biodiversity conservation. SLM encompasses a wide range of activities. In Galago, we have thousands of sustainability experts - scientists, engineers, project managers - that can help solve even the most complex challenges.
Defining biodiversity goals is only half the battle. Monitoring your progress and keeping an overview of your company's impacts will ensure that your company is delivering on these commitments and leaving a positive impact. Luckily, we can help. At Galago we make tracking all your impacts easy. We offer a cutting-edge sustainability management platform that harnesses the power of AI to collect and analyze all your sustainability data, including your impacts on biodiversity, in one place.
Your company may be more dependent on biodiversity than you realize. There is no single definition of how dependent a company might be on biodiversity and the extent of interaction with biodiversity will vary for each organization depending on the nature of their activities, goods and services. Degraded biodiversity can compromise food supplies, disrupt supply chains, and even cause economic losses because of natural disasters that are exacerbated by land in poor quality.
Land developers require consent to progress developments but must ensure significant effect on the natural environment are avoided, minimizing the destruction of habitats and loss of protected species. As awareness of the importance of biodiversity grows, so too will the expectation, rigor and need for greater levels of protection and avoidance of impacts grow, meaning businesses will be held more accountable for their interactions with the environment, whether directly or indirectly.
Unlike some other stakeholders, companies that have the resources, autonomy, technology, and ability to innovate can contribute significantly to biodiversity. Analyzing your impact on biodiversity and reliance on it is the first step towards taking action.
So you've analyzed your whole value chain and discovered the key factors influencing biodiversity? Next, follow these steps:
- Collect geospatial data and analyze it with the help of Galago’s team of experts
- To protect biodiversity, develop strategies and guidelines
- Based on your research, set measurable, realistic goals
- Be sure to integrate suppliers, customers, and other partners into your strategies.