Digital systems to monitor the impact of recreational activities and strengthen conservation in protected natural areas
The Tech4Nature project, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Huawei’s TECH4ALL program, and carried out in collaboration with the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), is advancing the development of technological solutions to analyze the impact of human presence in two protected natural areas: the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park (Granada) and the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park (Barcelona).
The goal of Tech4Nature is to generate reliable, automated information that helps adapt regulations and conservation measures during key periods, such as the breeding season of species sensitive to human disturbance. Working with the CTFC, the project applies monitoring systems based on automated image analysis and light and sound sensors, capable of providing objective data on recreational use. Together, these digital tools help better understand the pressure created by activities such as climbing and espeleology, while supporting the conservation of vulnerable species and the adaptive management of outdoor recreation in protected natural areas.
In climbing areas, automatic cameras record activity on the rock walls. So far, more than 13,000 images have been manually labeled to train an algorithm capable of automatically detecting climbers. Inside caves, light sensors measure illumination levels, while acoustic devices record the activity of bat colonies. The CTFC is analyzing nearly 7,000 acoustic recordings to identify activity patterns and critical periods for these species. According to Cristian Pérez-Granados, head of the CTFC research group New Tools for Biodiversity Monitoring, “using large datasets together with analytical algorithms allows us to move toward more precise, evidence-based management that is better adapted to the real needs of each territory.”
Toward a responsible framework for technology use
The project also includes a pioneering study on the legal and ethical aspects of using technology in protected natural areas, led by IUCN with support from the Rovira i Virgili University. The findings, expected in 2026, will provide guidelines to ensure responsible and regulation‑aligned use of digital tools.
Last modified: 3 March 2026
