‘Bird nests’ to protect forests

Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kılıç, Director of the Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Research and Application Center at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), together with Mechatronics Engineering student Tahsin Can Koçum, has developed a special project to prevent forest fires using smart sensors placed inside bird nests. The project, implemented after approximately six months of work, involves sensors placed in different areas of the forest to measure temperature, humidity, smoke, and sudden heat changes in real time. The collected data will be analyzed at an AI-powered center, allowing potential fires to be detected within seconds. This will enable teams to intervene quickly without losing valuable time. The pilot application will take place in Balçova, and the project will allow the protection of forested areas at a low cost.

The project, which is first planned for Izmir and later to be expanded across Turkey, consists of a main station and sensors placed throughout the forest. Each sensor is estimated to cost around 1,200 TL. For example, it is predicted that about 40 sensors will be sufficient for the 18-hectare Balçova Therapy Forest, meaning the entire area can be monitored around the clock with a modest budget of approximately 48,000 TL.

“OUR STUDENT DEVELOPED THE SOFTWARE TOO”

Reminding that Turkey has 23.2 million hectares of forestland, including about 431,000 hectares in Izmir, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kılıç said, “This technology can be used not only for fire prevention but also for continuous ecosystem monitoring. The sensors will send the data they collect to the main station. Thanks to the ‘Autonomous Fire Sensor Network’ software developed by our student, Tahsin Can Koçum, these values can be tracked via computer. When measurements exceed normal thresholds, an automatic warning message will be sent to the General Directorate of Forestry, AFAD, or municipalities. Since GPS location data will also be shared, the exact starting point of the fire can be identified instantly.”

“CAN OPERATE NON-STOP FOR 45 DAYS”

Stating that the sensors will be powered by solar panels and small batteries, Prof. Dr. Kılıç said, “A single main station can control up to 10,000 sensors. During the day, the sensors will operate using solar energy while charging their batteries, and at night, they will continue working on battery power. Even with minimal sunlight, a single sensor can operate continuously for 45 days. These sensors can be placed not only inside bird nests but also in other areas of the forest.”

“WE MUST MINIMIZE LOSSES”

Explaining that the decision to develop this project was driven by climate change, rising temperatures, and the increasing number of forest fires, Prof. Dr. Kılıç said, “The forest fires that occur across our country sadden us all, and it is crucial to find ways to prevent them. Early intervention plays a key role in minimizing losses. We attach great importance to this project and believe that it can be expanded to Izmir, throughout Turkey, and eventually be implemented internationally as well.”