Empowering Mangrove Conservation With Particle IoT

Mangrove forests, occupying the dynamic interface between land and sea in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, represent one of the planet's most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems. Characterized by a unique assemblage of salt-tolerant tree species, mangroves serve as crucial buffers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis, while also providing essential habitat and nursery grounds for a wide array of marine and terrestrial species. Furthermore, these forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration, with their dense biomass storing substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating climate change impacts.

Despite their ecological significance, mangrove ecosystems face an array of anthropogenic threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, over-exploitation, and climate change-induced stressors such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Human activities such as urban development, aquaculture expansion, and deforestation for agriculture have resulted in widespread mangrove loss, with estimates suggesting that over 35% of global mangrove cover has been lost in the past few decades alone. This rapid decline in mangrove habitats not only jeopardizes the rich biodiversity they support but also undermines the numerous ecosystem services they provide to coastal communities worldwide.

Recognizing the urgent need for mangrove conservation and restoration, efforts have been made at both local and global levels to protect and sustainably manage these invaluable ecosystems. However, effective conservation requires a comprehensive understanding of mangrove dynamics, including the factors influencing their health, resilience, and vulnerability to environmental stressors. In this context, technological innovations, particularly those leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), offer promising avenues for advancing our knowledge of mangrove ecosystems and enhancing conservation efforts.

The integration of IoT technology into mangrove research and monitoring holds great potential for providing real-time, high-resolution data on key environmental parameters critical for understanding mangrove ecology. By deploying an array of IoT sensors strategically across mangrove habitats, scientists can collect detailed information on variables such as water quality (including Total Dissolved Solids, water temperature), atmospheric conditions (humidity, temperature, light intensity, carbon dioxide levels), and air quality (volatile organic compounds). These data streams enable researchers to monitor changes in environmental conditions, identify potential stressors, and assess the overall health and resilience of mangrove ecosystems.

Furthermore, IoT-based monitoring systems facilitate long-term data collection, allowing researchers to track seasonal and inter-annual variations in environmental parameters and their impacts on mangrove ecosystems over time. This longitudinal perspective is essential for understanding the complex interactions between natural processes, human activities, and climate change drivers shaping mangrove dynamics. Additionally, IoT technology enables remote monitoring, reducing the need for intensive fieldwork and minimizing disturbances to fragile mangrove ecosystems.

The data collected through IoT-enabled monitoring systems not only enhance our scientific understanding of mangrove ecology but also inform evidence-based conservation and management strategies. By identifying areas of high ecological value, detecting pollution hotspots, and assessing habitat suitability for key species, these data help prioritize conservation actions and allocate resources effectively. Moreover, real-time monitoring alerts managers to emerging threats, enabling timely interventions to mitigate negative impacts and promote ecosystem resilience.

System Operation Overview

The functioning of the mangrove habitat monitoring system integrates advanced sensor technology, wireless communication modules, and cloud-based data processing platforms to enable comprehensive data collection, transmission, and analysis. The core components include smart buoys equipped with a microcontroller unit (MCU) and an array of environmental sensors, along with a central unit comprising a Particle Photon 2 microcontroller and associated radio communication modules. The data collected by the sensors is transmitted wirelessly to the central unit, which then facilitates data transfer to the Particle Cloud platform for further processing and visualization on the Ubidots platform.

Smart Buoy Configuration:

Each smart buoy is outfitted with a suite of sensors tailored to capture critical environmental parameters within the mangrove habitat. These sensors include a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) sensor for water quality assessment, a DS18B20 temperature sensor for precise water temperature measurements, a DHT11 sensor for monitoring both temperature and humidity levels, an APDS9930 ambient light sensor for assessing light intensity, and an SGP30 gas sensor capable of detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. The MCU embedded within the buoy coordinates the sensor readings and interfaces with the HC12 radio transmitter for data transmission.

Wireless Data Transmission:

Utilizing the HC12 radio transmitter, the MCU within each smart buoy transmits the collected sensor data wirelessly to the central unit located at a designated receiving station. The HC12 modules operate on a frequency range of 433 MHz, providing reliable long-range communication suitable for transmitting data across the expanse of the mangrove habitat to the central collection point. This wireless communication protocol ensures real-time data transmission and minimizes the need for physical infrastructure deployment in the sensitive mangrove ecosystem.

Central Unit Processing:

At the central receiving station, the Particle Photon 2 microcontroller serves as the hub for data aggregation and processing. Equipped with an HC12 radio receiver module, the Particle Photon 2 captures the transmitted sensor data from the smart buoys within its range. The Particle Photon 2 then processes the received data packets and initiates secure transmission to the Particle Cloud platform via Wi-Fi or cellular network connectivity. This integration of Particle Photon 2 facilitates seamless data transfer and ensures the reliability and integrity of the transmitted information.

Cloud-Based Data Processing and Visualization:

The Particle Cloud platform serves as the conduit for data transfer from the central unit to the Ubidots visualization platform. Upon receiving the sensor data, the Particle Cloud securely routes the information to the designated Ubidots account, where it undergoes further processing and visualization. Leveraging the capabilities of the Ubidots platform, researchers and stakeholders gain access to real-time and historical sensor data presented through intuitive graphical interfaces. This enables comprehensive analysis of environmental trends, identification of anomalies, and informed decision-making for mangrove habitat conservation and management initiatives.

HardWare

Receiver Side

1. Particle Photon2 MCU

The Particle Photon2 serves as the central processing unit on the receiver side. It receives data wirelessly from the transmitter via the HC-12 radio module and facilitates the transmission of this data to the Particle Cloud.

It is a versatile and powerful microcontroller board with several noteworthy features:

• Wireless Connectivity : The Photon2 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing seamless wireless communication. This feature facilitates easy integration with the HC-12 radio module for data reception from the transmitter.
• Particle Cloud Integration : One of the Photon2's standout features is its native integration with the Particle Cloud platform. This integration simplifies the process of securely transmitting data collected from the transmitter to the cloud, enabling remote access and analysis.
• Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates : The Photon2 supports Over-the-Air updates, allowing firmware updates to be deployed remotely. This feature is particularly valuable for maintaining and upgrading the receiver side's functionalities without the need for physical access.
• Cloud Functions: Particle Photon2 supports the creation of cloud functions, enabling developers to define custom functionalities that can be triggered remotely. This capability enhances the flexibility of the receiver side, allowing for custom data processing and control.
• RESTful APIs : The Photon2 exposes RESTful APIs, providing a standardized interface for communication. This allows for easy integration with external services, expanding the capabilities of the receiver side beyond data transmission.
• Security Features : Particle Photon2 prioritizes data security, offering encryption protocols for secure communication. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data transmitted to and from the Particle Cloud.

2. HC-12 radio

The HC-12 Radio Module boasts an array of features that make it a reliable choice for long-range wireless communication. Operating in the 433MHz frequency band, this module supports adjustable transmit power, allowing users to optimize range and power consumption. With multi-channel operation (up to 100 channels), it facilitates interference-free communication in crowded radio frequency environments.

The module communicates with the Particle Photon2 MCU via UART at a baud rate of 9600, ensuring a standardized and efficient data transfer speed. Configuration is simplified through simple AT commands, making it user-friendly for customization. Despite its powerful capabilities, the HC-12 maintains low power consumption, making it suitable for energy-efficient applications. Its implementation of error-checking mechanisms ensures data integrity during transmission, enhancing the overall reliability of the communication link.

3. 0.96 inch OLED

The 0.96-inch OLED display incorporated in the receiver side plays a pivotal role in providing real-time visualizations of sensor data. This compact yet vibrant display utilizes the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol for seamless communication with the Particle Photon2 MCU. The I2C protocol simplifies the integration process, allowing the Photon2 to efficiently transmit data to the OLED display, enhancing the user experience.

4.Assembly

First we made bread board connection to finalize the whole code. You can find the schema and the code in the Github Repo.

The Photon2 and HC-12 is attached to a perf board with female headers and the OLED is wired directly to the perf board.

This whole these things are secured in a white 3D printed case.

Transmitter Side

1.XIAO nrf58420 MCU

It serves as the brains of the transmitter side, providing essential processing power for data acquisition and communication. Some key features include:

• ARM Cortex-M4 Core: Equipped with a powerful ARM Cortex-M4 processor for efficient data processing and control.
• Nordic nRF52840 Chip: The module is built around the Nordic nRF52840 chip, known for its reliability and advanced features.
• Clock Speed: Operates at a clock speed suitable for real-time data processing and communication requirements.

It is responsible for efficiently gathering data from the sensor suite, processing it, and preparing it for transmission. It ensures accurate and reliable data handling for subsequent wireless communication.

2. Sensor suites

Here's a brief description of each sensor included in this project.

1. DS18B20 (Water Temperature Sensor):

The DS18B20 sensor serves a pivotal role in this project, functioning as a water temperature measurement device. Employing a one-wire digital interface, this sensor ensures accuracy and provides high-resolution temperature readings. Its application is critical for the comprehensive assessment of water temperature variations, a parameter of utmost importance for understanding the health and dynamics of mangrove ecosystems.

2. TDS Sensor (Total Dissolved Solids):

The TDS sensor integrated into the Mangrove Protection Buoy plays a critical role in assessing water quality. Specifically designed to evaluate total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, this sensor utilizes conductivity measurements to estimate the concentration of dissolved ions. By doing so, it provides valuable insights into the overall composition of the water, offering a key indicator of its quality. This technology is particularly useful for monitoring changes in water composition and plays a crucial role in identifying potential pollutants that could impact mangrove habitats.

3. SGP30 (Volatile Compound Sensor):

It serves a crucial role by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and measuring carbon dioxide levels (CO2) in the atmosphere. Utilizing advanced metal-oxide semiconductor technology, the sensor ensures precise and accurate detection of various VOCs, providing a comprehensive overview of air quality. This capability is particularly significant for environmental monitoring, playing a key role in identifying potential sources of pollution that could impact mangrove ecosystems. By continuously assessing VOCs and CO2 levels, the SGP30 contributes essential data for evaluating air quality, aiding in the preservation of mangroves and facilitating proactive measures to mitigate the impact of pollutants on these vital ecosystems.

4. SHT40 (Atmospheric Temperature and Humidity Sensor):

It is a crucial sensor which measures atmospheric temperature and humidity simultaneously. This sensor employs a dual-technology approach, combining a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor within a single device. By providing simultaneous readings of these two vital parameters, the SHT40 offers valuable insights into the atmospheric conditions surrounding mangrove areas. This information is instrumental in environmental monitoring, aiding researchers and conservationists in understanding the dynamic relationship between temperature and humidity in mangrove ecosystems. The SHT40's ability to deliver real-time data on atmospheric conditions contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the environmental factors influencing the health and sustainability of mangrove habitats.

5. APDS9930 (Ambient Light Sensor):

The APDS9930 sensor integrated into the project is designed to monitor ambient light intensity. Utilizing photodiodes, this sensor accurately measures the amount of ambient light in the environment. Its application is essential for gaining insights into the light conditions surrounding mangrove areas, playing a crucial role in assessing the health and growth of these ecosystems. By continuously monitoring ambient light intensity, the APDS9930 contributes valuable data for researchers and conservationists, facilitating a deeper understanding of the environmental factors influencing the well-being of mangroves and aiding in the implementation of effective preservation strategies.

Each sensor plays a specific role in collecting data related to different environmental parameters, contributing to a comprehensive dataset that can be analyzed to understand the ecological conditions and potential threats to mangrove ecosystems. The integration of these sensors in a suite provides a holistic approach to environmental monitoring and protection.

3. HC-12

The HC-12 radio module on the transmitter side plays a pivotal role in ensuring reliable long-range wireless communication with the receiver. Operating with a baud rate of 9600, it seamlessly interfaces with the XIAO nrf58420 MCU, efficiently transmitting environmental sensor data. With support for multiple channels and a robust data transmission protocol, the HC-12 contributes to a secure and efficient communication link. Designed for energy efficiency, it aligns seamlessly with the power management strategy of the transmitter side, making it a vital component for the success of the Mangrove Protection Buoy project.

4. Solar Energy

The solar panel on the transmitter side serves as a sustainable power source, harvesting solar energy to fuel this project. Positioned strategically for maximum sunlight exposure, the solar panel ensures continuous energy generation, making it an eco-friendly and self-sustaining solution for the buoy.

The two 5V solar panels on the transmitter side are strategically connected in parallel. This configuration allows both panels to share the same voltage point while increasing the total current output. By combining the current outputs of both panels, the parallel connection enhances the overall current capacity of the solar harvesting system.

A 2000 mah 18650 battery is used for the storing the solar energy.

The TP4056 charge controller is also used to efficiently manages the charging process for the 18650 battery. With its integrated features, the TP4056 ensures optimal charging, preventing overcharging and safeguarding the health and longevity of the battery. Its reliable performance contributes to the sustainable power management of the buoy, allowing for effective energy harvesting from the connected solar panels.

The 5V voltage booster employed in this project to maintain a stable power supply for the XIAO microcontroller. As the connected LiPo battery typically provides a maximum output voltage of 4.2V, the voltage booster efficiently steps up this voltage to the required 5V.

5. Assembly

First we made bread board connection to finalize the whole code. You can find the schema and the code in the Github Repo.

The 90 percent of electronics will be placed in this agility cone.

The whole sensors need to exposed to the outside.

The HC-12 is placed on the top of the cone and the all the sensors are around the curvatures of the cone.

A perf board with female headers are used for attaching the XIAO nrf58420.

A 2mm acrylic sheet is used as the base for connecting the cone and the tube. The solar panels are placed on this acrylic sheet.

A 30 cm diameter red tube is used for putting all these stuffs. The final output of the transmitter will look like this.

SoftWare

Setting Up Particle Photon 2

1. Hardware Setup:

• Connect the Photon to your computer via the provided micro USB cable.
• Ensure that the Photon is powered on.

2. Particle Account:

• If you don't have a Particle account yet, sign up at Particle's website.
• Once you have an account, log in.

3. Setup photon

• Now navigate to setup.particle.io

• Make sure Photon 2 is connected to the computer and proceed

• Now select the device, if the photon is detected by the computer it will popup as P2

• Select P2 and continue the setup.

• After you press Continue the board will go into DFU mode. If it is in DFU mode the yellow LED on your board will be blinking.

• If everything is set, start flashing the device.

• Now you can create a product if you don't have a product or just add the board to your preferred product

• And don't forget to provide a unique name to your device.

• Now you can configure the device to access your Wi-Fi network.

• And, you're all set!

4. Setting Up Particle Workbench

If you want to develop the firmware and flash it locally without using Particle Web IDE, you can follow this guide to setup Particle Workbench in VS Code.

Harnessing the Power of Data with Ubidots

Ubidots simplifies the world of Internet of Things (IoT) by providing a comprehensive platform for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from connected devices. Imagine a central hub where you can effortlessly:

• Connect various sensors, devices, and equipment to the cloud through a user-friendly interface.
• Monitor and manage real-time data streams to gain valuable insights into your operations.
• Create visually engaging dashboards that showcase trends, patterns, and key metrics.
• Set up alerts and notifications to stay informed of critical events or deviations.

Ubidots empowers you to make data-driven decisions and optimize operations across diverse applications.

This platform excels in visualizing and interpreting data collected from various nodes, making it ideal for this project. Its robust support for MQTT, HTTP, and TCP protocols ensures seamless integration with the required hardware.

Get started with Ubidots:

This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the platform. However, here's a quick glimpse of the initial steps:

• Createyour device: Ubidots offers a user-friendly interface to effortlessly connect various devices to the cloud.

• Give the device a new name and API Label

• From Devices > Your Device, find the details like API Label and Token, which will be used in the upcoming steps.

• Build your dashboard: Customize dashboards to visualize real-time data, trends, and insights tailored to your specific needs.

Data Routing With Particle Cloud

Follow these steps to send custom JSON data from your Particle device publishing events to Ubidots using webhooks.

• Navigate to Integrations: In your Particle dashboard, navigate to the "Integrations"

• Add New Integration and select Webhook

• Configure the webhook:
• Event: Choose the Particle event you want to trigger the webhook upon publishing (e.g., "myEvent").
• URL: Enter the Ubidots webhook URL. This URL can be found within your Ubidots variable settings under "API Access." It will have the format https://industrial.api.ubidots.com/api/v1.6/devices/YOUR_DEVICE_ID/
• Request Type: Select "POST."
• No defaults: Enable "No defaults" to ensure only your custom JSON data is sent.
• Reject unauthorized: Enable "Reject unauthorized" for added security.
• Headers: Add a header named "Content-Type" with a value of "application/json" to indicate the data format and "X-Auth-Token" with value of your API token copied from above step.

4. Verifying Data in Ubidots:

• Check the variable: Once you publish data from your Particle device, visit the corresponding variable in Ubidots. You should see the received JSON data displayed, with data points reflecting the published values.

Demo