Landscape Observatory to deliver AI-powered habitat mapping supported by Vodafone UK
A transformative partnership between Vodafone UK and the UK National Parks will use the power of Vodafone’s network and cutting-edge technology to help protect ecosystems, engage local communities, and support the future of the National Parks.
The Landscape Observatory will act as the delivery vehicle for the pioneering AI-powered habitat mapping research which the partnership will initially focus on across all fifteen parks. This will help transform the approach to conservation, by securing detailed habitat and biodiversity data in just a fraction of the time it would take to produce manually. Vodafone will also use its innovative technology to help provide the National Parks with real-time, high-resolution data on biodiversity, visitor impact and habitat health.
Nationally funded via the Protected Landscape Partnership Incubator hub, the Landscape Observatory will lead the development and deployment of advanced AI and geospatial analytics with Cranfield University to generate high-resolution, real-time environmental data, turning complex datasets into actionable insights for National Park Authorities, land managers, and policy-makers.
David Alexander, research lead at the Landscape Observatory and researcher at Cranfield University, said:
“The Landscape Observatory is proud to be the delivery vehicle for this cutting-edge AI habitat mapping research. This research will translate complex environmental data into meaningful intelligence that empowers National Parks to manage their landscapes more effectively and respond dynamically to our rapidly warming climate.”
The partnership will include a programme of initiatives designed to support access to nature and drive awareness of the health benefits it can bring. These projects will focus on how to increase engagement with the natural world, help more people access the National Parks, and support the existing 90 million annual visitors as they explore everything the National Parks have to offer.
Vodafone will provide cutting-edge technology solutions to underpin the project, including geolocation-based footfall analytics, IoT sensors, smart wireless cameras, and its innovative Network as a Sensor platform. Together, these tools will deliver vital data on ecological conditions, biodiversity trends, and visitor impact within protected landscapes.
This collaboration between Vodafone UK, the UK National Parks, Cranfield University and the Landscape Observatory demonstrates how industry, universities and public sector bodies can unite to harness innovative technologies for the benefit of the environment and public wellbeing.