Digital 'tree guard' gives endangered incense trees a voice
Scientists at Chinese University have developed a "tree guard" system that can monitor real-time data about trees as a way to protect them from being illegally felled or stolen.
Scientists at Chinese University have developed a "tree guard" system that can monitor real-time data about trees as a way to protect them from being illegally felled or stolen.
The scientists developed it to combat poaching of the endangered incense tree. The trees, native to southern China, produce a resinous wood used in high-end perfumes and expensive incense.
Nearly extinct on the mainland, they can still be found in the better protected forests of Hong Kong, where poachers target them with increasing frequency.
Last year saw 96 cases of illegal felling of incense trees, up from 67 in 2012, according to police.
Professor Chiu Siu-wai, of the university's school of life sciences, said the system served as a safety measure in addition to a means of conservation, as it provided an early warning for trees prone to collapse.
"The system can provide useful real-time data for the tree management teams to devise proactive and reactive measures for safeguarding trees," Chiu said. "It's all about disaster prevention."
