Sensor network monitors the environment

EDMONTON, Alberta, June 9 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists report creating a wireless sensor network that can monitor environmental data in remote locations clandestinely.

University of Alberta researchers say their network can provide continuous monitoring from anywhere in the world where the Internet is available.

The research team, including Pawel Gburzynski, Mario Nascimento and Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa, recently launched EcoNet -- a functional wireless sensor network for environmental monitoring in the display house in the University of Alberta's Agriculture/Forestry Center. The display house hosts a small, but feature-rich environment that mimics that of a tropical forest. Using a wireless sensor network, a number of sensors continuously monitor such factors as temperature and luminosity. The sensors process, store and transmit data cooperatively with other sensors to generate data that can then be collected and made available to users virtually anywhere on the globe.

The scientists said having data that can be continuously monitored substantially increases the chances of uncovering anomalies early enough to investigate them promptly and thoroughly.

Once the display-house prototype is tested and customized, the scientists said at least two sites are to be fully deployed -- one likely in the Brazilian rainforest and the other in a forest in Panama.