The Tech4Nature initiative, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) together with Huawei’s TECH4ALL program, is taking a new step forward in Spain through the incorporation of digital tools and monitoring models designed to analyze the relationship between people and nature through hiking, climbing, and caving in two key natural areas: the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park (Granada) and the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park (Barcelona).
In 2024, Spain’s National Parks Network reached a historic record with more than 16 million visitors, a trend that highlights the growing interest in experiencing well-preserved natural environments. This increase in visitation also brings added pressure on natural areas and reinforces the need for precise information to properly manage public use. To address this challenge, Tech4Nature is implementing, in collaboration with the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), monitoring systems based on automated image analysis and light and sound sensors capable of generating valuable information to support both the conservation of vulnerable species and the regulation of recreational activities during critical periods, such as the breeding season of species sensitive to human presence.
Sierra Nevada: Technology to Monitor High-Mountain Changes and Protect Biodiversity
In Sierra Nevada, Tech4Nature has launched an experimental program to study the spatial and temporal patterns of visitors in habitats with high ecological sensitivity, with the goal of better understanding how hiking and overnight stays impact the characteristic flora and fauna of high-mountain wetlands. Through the use of camera traps and autonomous acoustic devices, a large amount of information has been collected and will be analyzed using algorithms capable of detecting the presence and abundance of visitors and birds, as well as identifying movement patterns. This information will enable targeted outreach campaigns informing visitors about prohibited practices, while also improving the regulation of public use and optimizing monitoring efforts carried out by park rangers and managers.
Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac: Digital Innovation for Regulated and Responsible Use
In the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park, Tech4Nature is expanding the solutions developed during the project’s first phase, focusing on designing measures to monitor recreational activities that are particularly challenging to manage, such as caving and climbing. The project uses light sensors, acoustic devices, and imaging systems to analyze the frequency and spatial and temporal distribution of these activities and their potential effects on bats and nesting birds. In this case, both caves and climbing areas where human presence is permitted or regulated are being monitored, helping park managers evaluate compliance with these measures. The results will inform decisions related to regulation, surveillance, and public awareness, promoting a sustainable balance between adventure sports and the conservation of the park’s natural values.
Legal and Ethical Framework for Responsible Use of Technology
At the same time, Tech4Nature is advancing in the development of a reference study on the legal and ethical aspects associated with the use of biodiversity and visitor-monitoring technologies in protected natural areas. This work, led by IUCN Med with the support of the URV Foundation, will provide practical guidelines in 2026 for managers, technology operators, and public authorities, ensuring responsible and respectful use of these tools. As part of this process, several preliminary recommendations from the study were presented during the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in October 2025.
Last modified: 15 December 2025
