New satellite tool extends conservation monitoring

From the newsletter

Kelpwatch, a web platform that uses satellites to monitor kelp forests, has expanded its coverage to South Africa and Namibia. The technology could revolutionise not only monitoring of protected marine areas but also other landscapes under threat. The platform was developed by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and offers new insights into ecosystems supporting abalone, West Coast rock lobster and leopard catsharks.

• Conservationists have long shown interest in using high-resolution satellite imagery to survey large mammals across vast and hard-to-reach areas. Satellite tools offer a less invasive, yet more cost-effective alternative to traditional wildlife surveys and water monitoring systems.

• The Satellite-Based Water Monitoring and Flow Forecasting System for the Niger Basin demonstrates various ways to utilise satellites for conservation. It improves water resource management, enhances preparedness for floods and droughts, and supports environmental protection throughout the Niger Basin in West Africa.

More details

• Kelp forests in Africa are primarily found along the southern African coastline and extend along about 2500 km of the coastline. Until recently, monitoring their health relied on direct ocean observation, a method limited by time, cost and scale. A satellite method now allows classification of kelp canopy from space and enables broader and long-term analysis. It marks a shift in how scientists observe the extent and health of canopy-forming kelp worldwide

• Kelpwatch.org is an open-access platform designed for researchers, conservationists and policymakers. It tracks seasonal and spatial trends in kelp canopy from 1984 to present at 30-metre resolution. It also allows for comparison across time and geography, enabling informed marine protection strategies. The platform was launched in 2020 through a partnership between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

• The South Africa-Namibia extension maps three canopy-forming species: Ecklonia maxima, Macrocystis pyrifera and Laminaria pallida. Dr Henry Houskeeper from WHOI said the dataset allows testing of environmental influences like ocean currents, water clarity and upwelling intensity on kelp ecosystems. Early analysis suggests that unlike many global kelp forests in decline, those in southern Africa have remained relatively stable over four decades. Future use of the dataset will help explore how temperature shifts, nutrients and coastal activities affect kelp distribution.

• Satellites offer a promising option for wildlife conservation, particularly for surveying large mammals such as elephants and rhinos. In Africa’s vast savannahs, traditional methods like manned aerial surveys are costly, time-consuming and inconsistent. Very high-resolution satellite imagery can cover large, remote areas quickly, providing valuable data for conservation planning and population monitoring, especially in difficult-to-access regions.

• In homogeneous environments such as open grasslands or watering holes, animals stand out distinctly against their surroundings, enhancing their visibility in satellite images. Despite existing challenges such as cloud cover and the difficulty of distinguishing closely grouped animals, satellite imagery remains valuable. It facilitates monitoring in situations where occasional counts suffice or high precision is less essential. As satellite technology continues to advance, its role in wildlife conservation strategies will become increasingly significant.

• Satellite technology has also been used to conserve River Niger in West Africa. The Satellite-Based Water Monitoring and Flow Forecasting System uses satellite data to strengthen climate resilience. It has improved hydrological forecasts across Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. By integrating Meteosat imagery with ground data, the project enables accurate monitoring of rainfall, drought and river discharge. This data is vital for preventing water-related disasters and guiding sustainable agriculture and water management.

Our take

• Science-backed decisions must become the standard, not the exception, in Africa’s conservation agenda. If leaders ignore this data collection revolution, they risk mismanaging irreplaceable marine habitats.

• Africa cannot afford guesswork in marine conservation. Expanding data accessibility is a necessity. Without clear, long-term data, policymakers are flying blind while critical ecosystems like kelp forests face mounting threats.

• Accessible satellite data allows African scientists and conservationists to detect patterns, assess risks, and intervene early. It levels the playing field, giving local actors the tools previously limited to well-resourced nations. That’s real conservation power.