Rainforest Connection

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Rainforest Connection in partnership with:

• Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and a local sustainable logging company Rougier in Cameroon
• Kalaweit Supayang Gibbons Reserve in Sumatra, Indonesia
• Tembé people of northern Brazil
• Fundacíon Pro Bosque (FPB) in Ecuador
• Conservation International (CI) and government rangers in Peru

Manufacturing/Building Method

Rainforest Connection uses old cell phones to create an acoustic monitoring system to detect sounds in the rainforest. Old cell phones stay charged by solar cells and are attached to an extra microphone. The phones can detect the sounds of chainsaws or gunshots nearly a mile away and send a text alert to authorities who can determine whether it is illegal and then stop it. With the Rainforest Connection mobile app, any interested person from around the world can access their sound data.  

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Acoustic monitors are installed through partnerships with NGOs and implementing organizations. The app is free for users to download on Google Play and App Store.

Distributions to Date Status

There are five ongoing monitoring implementations in Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Cameroon and Indonesia. The app has been downloaded 1,000+ times on Google Play.  

Design Specifications

At the core of each device is an Android smartphone with an operating system that has been modified and geared toward resource management, internal analytics, and power efficiency. The device has highly sensitive external microphones that can capture ambient sounds, like the sound of chainsaws, enabling immediate intervention from local authorities. The device can pinpoint the exact location the deforestation is taking place. The devices are intended to be autonomous in operation, capable of operating indefinitely in the field, with minimal physical maintenance. Once installed in a tree, they may be considered abandoned until planned removal at the end of their service life (the length of which cannot yet be confirmed, but is expected to be 1­2 years).

Technical Support

Yes - each on the ground projects is assigned a Project Coordinator who will serve as the contact person if/when there are any issues.  ^{Interview with manufacturer}

Replacement Components

Shelf life is about 2 years, and replacement parts include the battery, power board, and cables. Most components are available for purchase on Amazon if needed. ^{Interview with manufacturer}

Lifecycle

Expected to be 12 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Reduce deforestation and illegal poaching

Vetted Performance Status

Within 24 hours of activating four strategically positioned bugs in the Kalaweit reserve in Sumatra, Indonesia, the RFCX system picked up illegal loggers and dispatched authorities. After two weeks of operation loggers stopped entering the 135-hectare region covered by the system. A year later, they had not returned. The app was rated 4.6/5 on Google Play and 4.9/5 on App Store.

Safety

N/A

Complementary Technical Systems

Additional microphones

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

None