National | PANORAMA

Spatial Sensitivity Assessment of Biodiversity and Speleological Heritage to Mining

Sensitivity map

COESP/ICMBio

The Biodiversity Sensitivity Map provides a spatial representation of the varying degrees of vulnerability of conservation targets to mining-related impacts. It integrates biological and ecological characteristics of species and ecosystems, along with the influence of anthropogenic pressures, to create a comprehensive sensitivity gradient—referred to as the Biodiversity Sensitivity Index.

This index ranks the entire study area into four sensitivity classes, ranging from “Extremely Sensitive Areas” to “Less Concerning Areas”, with each category representing approximately 25% of the total area. The classification follows principles of systematic conservation planning, incorporating spatial representations of both the distribution and sensitivity of each conservation target.

Certain species, habitats, or ecosystem services are more vulnerable due to intrinsic biological or ecological traits, or due to their geographic location. Moreover, the model considers landscape-level attributes—such as environmental conditions that either support or hinder biodiversity persistence—that are not directly tied to the mining threat but are critical for understanding overall ecological resilience.

Importantly, only targets that are likely to become even more vulnerable in the absence of preventive or mitigation measures were included in the mapping, ensuring that the tool supports strategic planning and prioritization for conservation in the context of mineral exploration.

Key enabling factors for the development of the biodiversity sensitivity map included access to specialized knowledge through collaboration with the National Centers for Research and Conservation of Fauna (ICMBio), and utilization of the Biodiversity Extinction Risk Assessment System (SALVE) (https://salve.icmbio.gov.br), which contains occurrence records validated by taxonomic experts. Additionally, coordination with the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora) (http://cncflora.jbrj.gov.br/portal) was essential for the identification of priority conservation targets for flora.

The construction of the tool contributed to the improvement of participatory methods, considering that the involvement of different actors in the discussion and elaboration of PRIM Mining is crucial to guarantee transparency in the processes of defining targets and analysis parameters, increasing the reliability, robustness and scope of the results.

Planning phase

Implementation

Documentation and dissemination of results

National

Identifying areas most impacted by mining activities - Impact Exposure Map

Map of Exposure to the synergistic impacts of mining estimated from the weighted average of Habitat Loss and Landscape Fragmentation.

Impact Exposure Map

COESP/ICMBio

A process designed to estimate the chronic impacts of mining activities on the landscape—such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. This analysis generates a gradient of exposure for biodiversity and speleological heritage, indicating varying levels of environmental damage severity. The mining impact exposure map provides a spatial representation of the risks to which conservation targets are subjected, allowing for a detailed assessment of biodiversity vulnerability. Identifying the areas most intensely affected by mining enables more strategic and informed planning efforts to minimize biodiversity loss.

The process involves coordination with sectoral bodies, the systematization of environmental data, and the validation of results through expert consultation. The methodologies employed are scientifically validated, widely accepted by the academic community, and designed to be replicable across different regions and landscape scales.

The construction of this layer was made possible by the increasing efforts of MapBiomas to map all remaining forest cover at the national scale in Brazil, as well as the National Mining Agency (Agência Nacional de Mineração - ANM) for providing the polygons of authorized mining processes across the country.

Access to accurate spatial data for calculating landscape metrics, combined with a network of collaborating experts in the field, enabled a participatory and transparent development of the results.

We gained valuable insights throughout the development of this layer and significantly evolved our approach by actively sharing information with the mineral sector and research institutions.

During the construction of a synergistic impact layer for mining activities, we identified a significant gap in available data, quantitative metrics, and modeling frameworks necessary to incorporate well-documented impacts—such as noise generation, vibration, air pollution, and soil and water contamination—at this spatial scale. This process highlighted the critical need to enhance impact assessments by accounting for the synergistic and cumulative effects of mining activities.

Planning phase

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Subnational

National

Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Access to Economic and Environmental Justice

Corruption in the forestry sector continues to undermine the rights & livelihoods of local & Indigenous communities. By institutionalising the use of ForestLink, we empower local communities beyond enforcement - the system has proven critical in tackling this corruption, enabling communities to document land rights violations & illegal activities, defend their territories & secure access to justice, whilst securing sustainable economic opportunities linked to forest resources.

Crucially, ForestLink supports sustainable economic activities & lays the groundwork for payment for environmental services by reinforcing community autonomy & stewardship of natural resources. Through partnerships with local organisations skilled in legal advocacy & sustainable enterprise, communities are supported to develop livelihoods aligned with forest protection. Key enabling factors include understanding current economic practices, ensuring financial support for legal actions & engaging in parallel advocacy to secure land rights.

By actively managing and defending their lands, communities reinforce their autonomy & contribute to long-term, locally driven development. The data collected through the tool also plays a crucial role in supporting access to justice - providing evidence for legal & non-legal actions when communities face human rights abuses or environmental crimes.

Understanding the communities’ current economic activities is essential
Financial means are necessary to support legal and administrative processes
Partnering with local organisations specialised in legal advocacy & sustainable business enhances impact
Parallel advocacy work to secure individual & collective land rights is critical

Awareness-raising on sustainable economic activities must involve all community groups, with targeted efforts for women & girls.
Trained staff in justice, law & sustainable economy fields are vital for success

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Inclusive Work Opportunity Facilitation

Contour Enviro Group further coordinate and create job opportunities for the MSMEs that have gone through the training programme so that they may practice their acquired skills. All of our MSMEs have acquired work since the inception of the programme and this has brought some sustainability on the model.

The MSMEs work opportunities to date through Contour Enviro Group who coordinates work opportunities in the sector.

The organisations that made this building block possible include but not limited to the following:

City of Cape Town
Cape Winelands Fire Protection Association
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
Conservancies

Once again, it was realised that their work is inundated with administrative work which they do mostly on books in field which often get lost. Thus the Grasshopper Project Management tool was developed in order to support them while they are working in field.

Conservation MSME Development Programme

MSME Field Teams

Contour Enviro

MSMEs in field

Contour Enviro Group

As mentioned in the previous sections, this programme is meant to achieve the following: “to develop, empower, support and professionalize Conservation MSMEs in the conservation sector in South Africa”.

The programme has trained over 20 MSMEs and created over 400 jobs annually since 2022 based on this programme. This programme is the main building block for the Grasshopper Project Management Tool as it was realised that the MSMEs need some support and a consolidation of their project management efforts, access to basic financial tools such as quoting and invoicing. Furthermore, to manage their assets etc.

The organisations that made the Programme successful have already been mentioned however they are listed below once again:

The Nature Conservancy- South Africa
The Table Mountain Fund
WWF-South Africa
Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment
Department of Small Business Development
Tourism and Conservation Sector Education and Training Authority

The focus of the programme is as follow:

Mentorship and coaching
Business support and development
Business, finance, and Human Resources training

MSMEs need to manage their projects efficiently.
The government partners already mentioned above need support to manage their alien vegetation teams and this solution will be a great tool to do so.
Resource wastage

MSME Development Programme YT Video

Baseline study that influenced the programme on behalf of ABI

Community engagement

Communities must benefit from the data collected, and we ensure they do.

We support quarterly data-sharing meetings between Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) community conservancies and Big Life Foundation, creating an open forum where data informs collaborative decision-making. This includes town planning, land-use strategies and community-led conservation initiatives.

By sharing insights on wildlife movements, environmental conditions and human activity, communities can plan together for peace, security and the prevention of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). These sessions empower conservancies to co-develop solutions across landscapes, strengthening cross-border cooperation and ensuring that data drives action where it’s needed most.

Control over data sharing or privacy.

Community stewards are empowered and trained to collect data through different sensors, using the IoT network to feed data into control rooms and Earth Ranger.

National

Multi-national

Global

Technical support and training

CCF is providing training for long-term sustainability, fostering ICT-driven green jobs

CCF

CCF provides a holistic digital ecosystem integrating landscape-scale technology, training and community engagement to drive meaningful change, contributing to GBF Target 20 – Strengthen Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation for Biodiversity.

Launching in June 2025, the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Programme has been developed by CCF to empower local communities to protect nature.

This tailored programme is designed to build practical, in-demand skills that create real opportunities—from entry-level technician roles to long-term careers in leadership and consulting within protected areas. Co-developed with industry experts and rooted in local needs, the curriculum blends hands-on field training with applied conservation technology knowledge.

Participants will graduate with job-ready skills to support and maintain vital conservation tech infrastructure. They’ll also have the opportunity to earn a PAT Certification, with a pathway to a globally recognised Cisco Certification—unlocking even broader career potential in the conservation and tech sectors.

By investing in local talent, the PAT programme helps communities take a leading role in protecting the natural landscapes they call home.

Monitoring of impact will take place through the first cohort of learners, focusing on their career journeys and personal development outcomes

Centralising data for management and control

Earth ranger in use at the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem

CCF

A visualisation platform for real-time protected area management, helping managers make informed, conservation-related operational decisions. A community of users is now sharing best practices and innovative concepts, engaging EarthRanger as it extends beyond just elephant protection to a diversity of wildlife, ecological and community applications.

CCF has a long-term partnership with the AI2 Team, which developed this software.

Data flows seamlessly from field-based hardware through the network into Earth Ranger
Diagnostic information is key to good support and maintenance.

Transporting data from the field to the operations room

Cisco LoRa gateways enable low-power, long range sensors

Madikwe Futures Company

From soil moisture and water levels to animal migrations and habitat health, data from sensors travels via Cisco LoRaWAN gateways and Actility’s ThingPark™ Platform to central operations rooms, where platforms like EarthRanger provide a comprehensive 360-degree view of ecosystem health and threats. Previously, these have been donated by Cisco Inc.
These LoRaWan gateways now support over 800 IoT sensors across protected areas.

When using LoRaWAN, data is transmitted wirelessly to a gateway. The gateway listens for the corresponding signals and transmits them to a LoRaWAN network server, which is connected to the Internet.
Deploying a LoRaWAN network is quicker and much more accessible than setting up a conventional cellular system.
Operation requires minimal infrastructure. Setting up cables and making connections to the power line is not required. Network design and optimisation are also simplified, as with one gateway, you can cover a larger area very effectively.

Reliable and long-term : The gateways are robust and come with a 7-year warranty, offering peace of mind and operational security for protected area managers working in harsh and remote conditions.
Unmatched coverage in rugged terrain: LoRaWAN technology continues to outperform alternatives in remote and rugged landscapes, providing extensive and reliable coverage across challenging terrain where cellular connectivity is limited or non-existent.
Seamless regional asset tracking: The system supports device roaming, allowing for uninterrupted tracking of assets across different regions without manual reconfiguration—an essential feature for mobile wildlife monitoring and conservation equipment.
Cost-effective: By leveraging low-cost, commodity-based hardware and integrating standard radio modules, LoRaWAN devices reduce overall deployment costs significantly. Compared to cellular or Wi-Fi-based solutions, this makes wide-area sensor networks more financially accessible for conservation teams.
A scalable and sustainable alternative: With its low power consumption, long range and minimal infrastructure needs, LoRaWAN provides a sustainable alternative to satellite communication. It enables real-time environmental monitoring in even the most isolated locations.
Widespread adoption for Conservation: Outside of this partnership, over 200 protected areas across the country are now using LoRaWAN to monitor vital resources like water, food, and habitat health. This growing adoption is helping secure a resilient future for wildlife, ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.

Filtering data types and onward rooting

Actility LoRaWAN Things Park Network ServerThe network server connects sensors, gateways and end-user applications and ensures reliable and secure data routing all along the LoRaWAN network. Along with the Operation Support System (or OSS), they are the brain that controls the complete LoRaWAN network

Collects data from the LoRaWan Gateways and transports this data from field-based sensors onto Node Red, which sends data to Earth Ranger (a data visualisation software).
It can be self-managed through training.
It is easy to replicable.
It can be deployed on-premise or on the cloud

Today, Actility’s IoT network server supports 131 LoRaWAN gateways with CCF and nearly a thousand sensors across 35 community-led and private conservancies. These networks span iconic landscapes like the Masai Mara, Tsavo and Northern Rangelands of Kenya, forming a digital safety net across nearly 10 million hectares.

Government agencies, including the Kenya Wildlife Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority, have endorsed the LoRaWan approach for expansion across national parks and community lands.

https://www.actility.com/lorawan-network-server/