BioSignals explores climate change and biodiversity using IoT systems to generate and send signals from plants.
Climate change is causing extreme weather events to increase, altering rainfall patterns, raising temperatures, and warming seas in New Zealand.
The loss of habitats, damage to infrastructure, disruptions in natural patterns, and the strengthening of threats contribute to the decline in biodiversity.
In this post, we will explore the relationship between climate change and biodiversity in NZ, the specific ways that plants are impacted, the gaps in the data, and how IoT can assist in collecting and analysing data.
Impacts on the Environment
It is almost certain climate change will continue to increase risk to Aotearoa New Zealand’s native species. Increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall (much higher or much lower) will affect Aotearoa from the mountains to the coast.
Up to 80% of alpine areas in NZ will be lost with the extinction of between 200 and 300 plants (up to half of all species). At the same time, sea-level rise will ‘squeeze’ coastlines, inundating plants and negatively impacting seashore life. Ecological resilience will weaken.
Forest, river, lake and other ecosystems will all face extreme stress making them more vulnerable to infection to plant pathogens like myrtle rust.
Changes in drought frequency and severity will increase forest diseases, and increased groundwater extraction for irrigation (during droughts) will lead to declines in wetlands, springs, and trees that access groundwater for their water needs.
A warmer climate will expand the range of some existing pests and diseases, including possums and rats, creating competition between native and invasive species for habitat. Increased fire frequency and severity will weaken the resilience of native flora and fauna.
Warmer air temperatures may increase competition for pollination between native and invasive plants because of increased overlap in the timing of their flowering, potentially disrupting plant-pollinator networks and affecting broader ecosystems.
Impacts on Te Tai Tokerau | Northland
Climate change is likely to cause the emergence of new sub-tropical pest species in Te Tai Tokerau | Northland, where AwhiWorld is based. As temperatures increase and winters are milder, weed species that invade or take over productive land will become more prevalent, and more weeds will transform into pest plants.
To become a pest plant, a weed must represent a threat to the region because of its ability to invade or take over land that is productive or has important ecological or cultural values [Northern Regional Council ” Pest Plants and Animals Resource Page]
Wild Ginger, Moth Plant, Woolly Nightshade, Taiwan Cherry, and Climbing Asparagus are some of the top pest plants we’re battling on our property. We also face issues with rats and possums, requiring regular trapping and poisoning.
We also have a range of plants considered noxious weeds but not quite as bad as the Ten Most Wanted Weeds list. (I do an inventory post in the coming weeks about the glorious array of unwanted plant guests in the future.)
As temperatures rise and rainfall fluctuates from extremely wet to extremely dry, many of these pests will thrive, and new pests will arise.
Northland has one of the most economically and socially deprived populations in New Zealand. The region’s economy is based on dairy, agriculture, and tourism, making it vulnerable to climate change impacts such as road closures, infrastructure damage, crop damage, and increased threats from pests, animals, and pathogens.
Well-being will also be impacted, as destruction and distress to the mauri of the land impact those who spiritually, culturally, socially and economically draw sustenance and personal identity from their connection to place.
That said, some opportunities may arise from the changes occurring societally and in the environment. One of these could be greater attention to cross-disciplinary collaboration and creative innovation.
How Can IoT Assist?
One opportunity for innovation is in the area of IoT – the technological focus for BioSignals.
A number of gaps exist in data that, if resolved, increase knowledge and support proactive solutions. IoT and international cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation could be the answer.
IoT-based systems allow multiple microcontroller-based sensors to transmit real-time data to each other across one ecosystem. Information can be collected on aspects like soil moisture, temperature, humidity, vibration, growth, and damage patterns of plants.
Large arrays of signals between different sites can allow for continuous monitoring of complex ecosystems.
In addition, IoT systems deployed just before extreme weather events can measure real-time water and saturation levels and soil movement, leading to earlier interventions and proactive solutions.
Collecting this data increases predictive capacity, and proactive solutions can be formulated.
Cross-disciplinary practice between creatives, social and natural scientists and technologists can support innovations that lead to more effective adaptation of human systems and help understand complex climate processes and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems.
Summary and Acknowledgements
BioSignals is an international project allowing for specific research foci at each site and greater learning through shared knowledge and ideas. We hope that the research we undertake will not just be engaging from a creative perspective, but that it will be of benefit through extensive research into IoT technologies.
Please note that this post’s information on climate change and its impact on biodiversity (and the gaps in data on this topic) was sourced from the Ministry for the Environment, Stats NZ, and data providers.
It has been licensed by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Read “Our Atmosphere and Climate 2023” for more detailed insights.
Information on weeds in Northland was sourced from the Northern Regional Council website, which has a rich array of resources available.
Images: Images by Maggie B/Gitch effect a collaborative project with Kim Newall using Text Editor.
More BioSignals
Strange Intelligences Lab Open Studio and BioSignals
As part of the Whangarei Fringe Festival, we opened our studio to conduct community-based research for the culmination of the BioSignals Project and as a way to feed our Strange Intelligences Lab…
BioSignals: Signals into Space!
We have sent test data into space! This exciting development results from research into grass-roots options for connecting to space from rural communities - part of our focus on building resilience. Using…
BioSignals: Printing Mugwort
The UK bioSignals team is creating banners made from elements produced by our international teams. We decided to print and send our favourite plant, Mugwort. Our Mugwort has been growing voraciously in…
Interview with Kieran Monaghan
Kieran Monaghan - is predominantly, and persistently, a drummer and percussionist of found sounds. He calls Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington home. His first crude musical steps were in the late 80’s, playing drums in…
BioSignals: Plant Ethics and Msc Presentations
in July/August the New Zealand bioSignals research team has been sharing research and perspectives in short presentations to stimulate thinking and enrich cross-cultural exchange. Presentations in PDF and Video below. {{ vc_btn:…
BioSignals First NZ Milestone Achieved
With the launch of the Alternative Reality Gardening Lab our bioSignals research could be tested with the public. Our Central Garden Lab—the project's hub—had several projects in some form of display so…
Ecosystem Signals Crossing the World
Everywhere you go, always take the weather with you - Crowded House So we are sending our mad Northland weather globally in our bioSignals project via our weather station, which has been…
BioSignals: Interview with Kelly Kahukiwa
Kelly Kahukiwa (Ngāti IO, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngai Tūhoe and Te Aitanga -ā Māhaki) is an artist, musician, intercultural leader and indigenous researcher. Kelly’s artistic practice spans many contemporary and traditional forms, including…
Resilience Garden Update: Image Gallery
A BioSignals documentation post is showing the latest growth in our resilience garden. We have beautiful flowers in our resilience garden and massive autumnal growth. The mugwort seedlings are thriving, and abundance…
Installation Prototyping
Plants are sending signals within a suburban mall thanks to Kim's hard work today on our bioSignals project. Our shop in The Strand Arcade now has the bones of an installation in…
Foraging and Propagating Wormwood
It shows you the folly of resentment, judgement and rage. Gregg (2014) Artemisia Absyinthium, is a repellent herb that hatefully banishes other plants or animals that come too close. Cunningham (1998)…
The Magic of Mugwort
Mugwort - a powerful medicinal plant is now in our garden! Mugwort, scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, is a versatile and aromatic herb cherished for centuries for its medicinal, magical and culinary…
Capturing Hitchhikers: Image Gallery
A BioSignals documentation post for an expedition to AH Reed Public Park 24 Feb 24 Yesterday, we visited AH Reed Park as an expedition a new AwhiWorld project and to support…
Sansar VR Experiments 2
BioSignals research has led to live visualisation of data in VR. Daniël Vandersmissen, our colleague in Belgium, has been working with Sansar. As a result of his latest experiment, Kim's live…
Hardware Experiments – Outside Sensors
A second prototype IoT system is now set-up outside in our resilience garden. Kim set this system up for our BioSignals project using the same hardware and sensor configuration as our…
Hardware Experiments
Our colleague Frederico D.A. de Sena Pereira (from the SEADs network) is working with our NZ team to research various means for connecting to and receiving plant signals. Humans can…
Sansar VR Experiments
BioSignals research includes signal transfer in and out of virtual worlds. Daniël Vandersmissen, our colleague in Belgium, is experimenting with the Sansar Virtual World. Sansar is a virtual reality platform that…
Capturing Weeds: Image Gallery
Documentation post for weeds collected around our property for the BioSignals project. {{ vc_btn: title=Learn+More+About+BioSignals&shape=square&color=success&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fawhiworld.com%252Fportfolio%252Fbiosignals%252F%7Ctarget%3A_blank }} More BioSignals The British Council funds BioSignals via the #ConnectionsThroughCulture programme.
Pathways to Resilience
BioSignals continues ... our resilience garden is coming along nicely. We've been out in the garden, preparing pathways, mulching and planting in and around our Resilience Garden (formerly The Chicken Garden). …
BioSignals: Interview with Cr Jack Craw
Cr Jack Craw is a seasoned biosecurity and biodiversity management expert with a career spanning over forty years. Currently serving as a Regional Councillor for the Northland Regional Council, Jack brings extensive…
BioPlastic Experiments
BioSignals and bioplastics - experiments with resilient and highly noxious weeds. Stopping the Moth Plant (Araujia hortorum) in its tracks is many a conservationist's dream. In NZ, the plant is disturbingly known…
Binding the Binders
Strangling, smothering and suffocating - disturbing traits that make certain plants extremely resilient. But how do we capture this resilience artistically and magically? In this post, Maggie shares her experiments for BioSignals…
Weeding for BioSignals
We are getting into the weeds for our research for BioSignals. Taking advantage of the long weekend for Waitangi Day, Kim and I have been working hard on our garden, plant…
Proof of Concept – BioSignals
BioSignals has begun! Kim has set up a prototype IoT-based biosignal system using the Aloe Vera plant in our studio space. The system configuration is: ESP32 microcontroller Sensors: DHT11 (temperature and humidity), Light-dependent…
Invoking Resilience and Protection
Plants are essential for human existence, giving us air, food and shelter. For many cultures, they are also at the core of cultural and spiritual practice. Providing protection, supporting resilience and expanding…
Peering at Plants
Microscopy is a core part of AwhiWorld's practice whether it be a live performance or teaching people about the unseen world of plants in our innovation labs. A core part of Maggie's…
The British Council funds BioSignals via the #ConnectionsThroughCulture programme.