Ecological systems are teeming with intricate dynamics often concealed from human observation. In the past, scientists had to be physically present to gather data, but today, a plethora of advanced technologies enable real-time, remote environmental monitoring. Among these technologies are the Internet of Things (IoT) and Geosensor Networks (GSN), which are poised to revolutionize our understanding and interaction with the natural world. This thesis explores the potential of such technology to enhance environmental decision-making in the case of a renaturation project of the Kalterbach - a stream in the Bavarian countryside, north of Munich. Using an interdisciplinary, participatory approach, a GSN was installed along the water body to record water temperature and water level; a summers worth of remotely and automatically collected data was then analyzed to demonstrate the utility of such systems for environmental monitoring. The results show how various landscape features along the Kalterbach contribute to temperature fluctuations in the stream. Additionally, it explores the correlation between these temperature changes and daily sunshine hours. The valuable insights precipitated from the GSN data help direct the future renaturation of the Kalterbach and thereby underscore the broader promise of IoT in open nature environmental monitoring. The learning from this sensor network were recorded and analyzed to encourage the continued uptake of IoT. While challenges persist, notably in terms of hardware durability, as sensors must endure prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions, if addressed, the technology’s affordability and powerful results support its continued use in land management. GSNs provide a scalable interface with ecosystem dynamics that give nature a voice in human systems of governance.     «

Ecological systems are teeming with intricate dynamics often concealed from human observation. In the past, scientists had to be physically present to gather data, but today, a plethora of advanced technologies enable real-time, remote environmental monitoring. Among these technologies are the Internet of Things (IoT) and Geosensor Networks (GSN), which are poised to revolutionize our understanding and interaction with the natural world. This thesis explores the potential of such technology to e...     »