Nature Based Solutions - Overcoming the Challenges of Collecting Reliable Baseline Data in Remote Environments

Nature-based solutions require realistic targets, ideally based on processes operating in intact ecosystems. Due to widespread human impacts, the least disturbed ecosystems in Ireland often occur in remote settings, make characterising natural processes challenging. Difficulties associated with accessing these areas requires an alternative approach to water sampling, particularly when there is a need to characterise processes that occur during high energy hydrological events. Remote telecommunications, automated samplers and sensors help meet this requirement. However, telecommunications often prove problematic where remote connectivity is most needed. More recent developments in communications standards, including machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, have highlighted their potential, yet require further development. Similarly, although a number of vendors offer either complete or partial solutions for remotely-accessible sensor and autosampler equipment, finding packages that offer the appropriate combination of flexibility and accessibility for remote sites, with limited telecommunications potential, has proven difficult. The US-Ireland funded Sensor Application to Peatland Hydrology In Remote Environments (SAPHIRE) project has adopted a hybrid approach, selecting a platform with independent power supplies, the autonomy to integrate existing institution-owned equipment and the flexibility to utilise Internet of Things (IoT) communications standards, in combination with a highly flexible cloud computing platform. Data collected thus far have demonstrated the viability of this approach for detecting flood events and remotely activating automated water sample collection. The approach adopted permits the programme to continue to develop sensor and sampling protocols to better quantify the ecosystem services that underpin nature-based solutions to water-related issues.