Smart, Ericsson Save Mangroves

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications and Ericsson recently formalized an agreement to develop an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to help in the protection and conservation of mangroves in the Philippines.

Under the agreement, Smart will be the exclusive mobile network partner of Ericsson for a potential Connected Mangroves project, which uses wireless connectivity to capture data relevant to mangroves’ survival such as water level, humidity, soil moisture and temperature, and other hazards in the environment.

The information, which is collected by waterproof solar-powered sensors attached to mangroves, will be transmitted over a cloud system to a dashboard accessible to concerned stakeholders, such as local authorities and farmers.

Mangrove forests help protect seaside communities from typhoons, flooding, erosion and other coastal hazards, and is the habitat of various aquatic life forms. However, it is estimated that only 20 percent of the planted mangroves reach adult stage due to various environmental risks.

Both partners will be assessing the viability of different mangrove forest locations for the project in the next few weeks.

Smart supports mangrove conservation and protection as part of its environmental, livelihood, and disaster preparedness initiatives.