Application of Wireless Sensor Networks for Monitoring and Protection of Rangelands and Natural Resources: A Preventive Approach to Natural Hazard Management

Monitoring and protecting rangelands and natural resource lands against natural hazards such as wildfires and floods are of paramount importance. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs), as innovative technologies, provide real-time management of these hazards. In this study, a monitoring system based on LoRaWAN technology was designed and evaluated for rangeland surveillance in remote and difficult-to-access areas of Iran. LoRaWAN was chosen as the optimal solution due to its long communication range, low power consumption, and the ability to establish private networks without the need for complex infrastructure. The proposed system consists of sensors that measure temperature, humidity, and smoke, with the collected data being transmitted to a central gateway. These data are then transferred via LoRa modules to a cloud server. One of the main challenges addressed in this study was energy optimization to extend the battery life of the sensors. To overcome this, smart algorithms were implemented to adjust the data transmission intervals based on environmental and seasonal conditions; for instance, during hot seasons and days with higher wildfire risk, shorter data transmission intervals were set, while in stable conditions, longer intervals were used. Field tests demonstrated that the proposed system was able to maintain stable communication over long distances while efficiently managing energy consumption to ensure reliable data transmission. Furthermore, the real-time data transfer to the cloud enables advanced analysis and timely decision-making. This research shows that LoRaWAN technology, with its easy access to equipment and resilience in harsh environmental conditions, offers an effective and efficient solution for monitoring and protecting rangelands and natural resource lands in Iran.