The Natural History Museum in London has launched an innovative project by installing a network of 25 environmental sensors across its recently transformed gardens to monitor how urban wildlife is responding to changing climatic conditions. This move is part of a broader initiative to turn the museum’s gardens into a "living laboratory," providing real-time data on urban biodiversity and microclimatic shifts in the heart of the city.

The sensors, which track temperature, humidity, sound, and other atmospheric conditions, are strategically placed within the Nature Discovery Garden. They capture a wide range of natural sounds including insect wing vibrations, bird calls, and pond underwater noises, alongside urban background sounds like traffic. According to Ed Baker, an acoustic biology researcher at the museum, the activation of these sensors represents a significant leap forward in understanding urban nature dynamics. With support from Amazon Web Services (AWS), the museum aims to collect, process, and share this data rapidly, enabling more responsive and science-driven conservation actions within urban spaces.

This project forms part of a multi-year partnership between the Natural History Museum and AWS, aiming to create a sophisticated data platform known as the Data Ecosystem. Built using AWS cloud technologies, this platform is designed to store, enrich, and analyse vast quantities of biodiversity and environmental data. It will integrate live sensor feeds with other datasets including historical wildlife observations dating back to 1995, environmental DNA samples, and community science contributions from over 96,000 participants studying noise pollution impacts on insects. Hilary Tam, AWS’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa sustainability leader, highlighted how the cloud infrastructure enables secure data storage and scalable processing power, turning collected information into actionable insights to support urban nature recovery.

The gardens themselves, encompassing five acres around the museum's South Kensington site, reopened to the public last year following a £25 million transformation. They feature a blend of recreational and scientific facilities, including a nature activity centre that doubles as a training space for emerging urban ecologists and a hub for school workshops. The installation of sensors and the resulting data collection effort are key components of the museum’s Urban Nature Project, which seeks to empower cities and their residents across the UK with tools and knowledge to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Environmental monitoring is enhanced by acoustic and environmental DNA technologies, allowing researchers to detect species and gauge their responses to environmental change with unprecedented precision. The project team is also incorporating community science data, encouraging widespread public participation to capture a more comprehensive picture of urban biodiversity. This inclusive approach aims to democratise biodiversity data collection, enabling evidence-based conservation efforts driven by both scientists and local communities.

The data harvested by the sensors is projected to accumulate a substantial volume, with estimates suggesting up to 20 terabytes of audio data alone in the first year. This rich dataset will power sophisticated research on how various species—from insects and frogs to microscopic organisms—interact with their urban environment. Ultimately, the museum envisions the gardens as a model for urban nature recovery, forging a deeper understanding of biodiversity trends and informing practical strategies for building urban resilience against climate change.

The Natural History Museum’s project stands as a pioneering example of how cultural institutions can harness technology and public engagement to foster scientific discovery and environmental stewardship within cities. By bridging cutting-edge sensor technology with cloud computing and community involvement, the museum hopes this initiative will galvanise similar efforts nationwide, helping safeguard urban wildlife and ecological health amid a rapidly changing climate and expanding urban footprint.

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Source: Noah Wire Services