SDG 15 – Life on Land

Forests are among our plant’s most important ecosystems: They store CO₂, protect the soil, regulate the climate, and offer a habitat for an enormous diversity of animal and plant species. At the same time, however, they are increasingly coming under pressure due to climate change, extreme weather events, and pest infestation. This is why the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land” centres on the protection, sustainable use, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

Research and Innovation in the Spirit of SDG 15

At USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, technological innovation is tied closely to the goals of the 2030 Agenda. One example in this context is the research project on autonomous drone flight along forest roads which supports the protection and sustainable use of forest ecosystems – and thus the objectives of SDG 15 as well.

Forest roads are a central prerequisite for maintenance, protection, and operation measures in woodlands. It is these roads’ condition that decides how fast we can react to damages caused by storms, erosion, or pest infestation. In his PhD project carried out at USTP’s Department of Computer Science & Security, Alexander Buchelt is developing an autonomous drone system to monitor these paths independently and at regular intervals.

Changes can be detected early on through the use of flying robots, artificial intelligence, and automated image analysis. This reduces risks for persons, infrastructure, and environment, saves time and resources, and minimises the need for manual test trips. At the same time, the collected data provides a solid basis for sustainable forest planning and long-term protection measures.

With projects such as this, USTP demonstrates how research and digital technologies can contribute to the protection of forest ecosystems and promote sustainable land use as endorsed by SDG 15.

About the SDG Topic Series

Within the framework of our SDG topic series, we dedicate ourselves to one of the 17 goals for sustainable development every week. The selected contributions serve as examples to illustrate how USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten contributes to a sustainable future. In doing so, we highlight diverse issues – from poverty in old age and ‘AI for Green’ to strategic partnerships and networks.

Read more about the sustainability topic at USTP here.