The Project
e2m was engaged to assess the presence of select Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), with a focus on detecting greater glider and koala across a large, mixed‑habitat study area. The results were intended to support federal‑level environmental assessment requirements by providing a scientifically robust, defensible dataset.
Our Approach
To deliver a high‑confidence assessment, a multi‑layered, analytics‑driven survey framework was implemented, merging traditional ecological field methods with advanced detection technologies. Leveraging expertise across thermal imaging, acoustic analytics, and computer vision, the program was designed to scale efficiently across extensive terrain while maintaining scientific rigour.
Thermal drone surveys were conducted at 12 locations, with each survey covering an average of 7.5 hectares during early morning periods when the thermal contrast between animals and their surroundings was greatest. The drone followed a pre‑programmed back‑and‑forth flight path while the pilot monitored a live thermal feed for arboreal mammals. When a heat signature was detected, the mission was paused and on‑ground spotlighting was used to confirm the species.
Bioacoustic recorders were deployed at 10 sites for 13 to 17 days. A convolutional neural network‑based analysis tool processed the recordings by splitting the audio into three‑second segments and assigning each a score between 0 and 1, indicating the likelihood of containing a koala call. High‑scoring segments were manually reviewed to confirm koala presence.
Outcomes
The survey program produced a defensible, high‑resolution dataset aligned with Commonwealth regulatory expectations. Key technical findings included:
- Six confirmed records of one target MNES species, derived from a combination of acoustic detections and ground‑based searches.
- Sixteen confirmed records of a second target arboreal MNES species, detected through thermal drone observations and nocturnal spotlighting.
Through the integration of analytics‑enabled technology and conventional ecological expertise, e2m delivered rapid, reliable species detection, reduced survey uncertainty, and provided evidence‑based inputs suitable for federal environmental assessment pathways.
