What Central Park’s Squirrel Census says about conservation tech: Interview with Okala’s Robin Whytock

Mongabay
Mongabay
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Ecologist Robin Whytock used technology to estimate Central Park's squirrel population, demonstrating the potential of tech in biodiversity monitoring. His findings suggest a more efficient approach compared to traditional methods.
What Central Park’s Squirrel Census says about conservation tech: Interview with Okala’s Robin Whytock
A What happened
At the end of New York Climate Week, ecologist Robin Whytock aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology in biodiversity monitoring by counting squirrels in Central Park. Using a mobile app and distance sampling, he estimated the squirrel population at 2,979, significantly higher than the 2018 survey's count of 2,373 conducted by 300 volunteers. Whytock emphasized that while data collection tools are becoming more accessible, the challenge lies in analyzing the data effectively. His work with Okala focuses on scaling tech solutions for biodiversity monitoring, combining traditional statistical methods with modern technology to improve efficiency and accuracy in ecological data collection.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Tech vs. Traditional Methods

    Whytock's approach shows technology can match traditional survey methods.

  • 2

    Data Analysis Challenges

    Many organizations struggle to analyze biodiversity data effectively.

  • 3

    Scalability of Monitoring

    Tech solutions can make biodiversity monitoring more scalable and efficient.

Takeaways

Whytock's Central Park squirrel census illustrates the potential of technology to enhance biodiversity monitoring. By integrating traditional methods with modern tools, conservation efforts can become more efficient and impactful.

Topics

Conservation