//Smart:
A platform for Environmental Intelligence: connecting low cost, DIY sensing with web-based models and metrics
The //Smart: system brings together low cost monitoring technology from FreeStation with the WaterWorld, Co$tingNature and EcoActuary Policy Support Systems to develop and deploy reliable, low maintenance continuous monitoring and short term forecasting. The //Smart: stations combine standalone or internet-connected monitoring of environmental properties with near-term weather forecasts alongside AI based near-term predictions and variable-specific analyses. The system is designed to better understand environments and the impacts of human interventions on them through a combination of monitoring, analysis and modelling. Analyses can be carried out on single stations or networks of them
To use //Smart: build a FreeStation, upload the FreeStation firmware, install a SIM, connect the battery to start collecting data. Generate a //Smart: console for your station here. Use the //Smart: API to access your data and carry out analyses as described here. To manually upload data from a Freelay or SD card backup click here. See further details at www.freestation.org/using
Current deployments:
Natural flood management
Restarting economy in support of Environment, through Technology (ReSET) project
Sherbourne catchment | data |
The Environment Agency (West Midlands) is coordinating a natural flood management (NFM) programme in the Upper Sherbourne, upstream of Allesley, Coventry. The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has built a series of leaky woody debris dams in the streams downstream of a retention pond and are using FreeStations to understand the impact of these NFM on local stream flows and the contribution to mitigation of peak flows downstream in Allesley where there are assets at risk of flooding.
Stour catchment | data |
SAFAG, the local Flood Action Group based in Shipston upon Stour is one of the UK's most prolific producers of Natural Flood Management. SAFAG have constructed hundreds of NFM interventions in the catchment above Shipston upon Stour and aim to complete 1000 NFM interventions in the next two years, if funding allows. One of these is a retention pond in which we are measuring fill anf empty dynamics for water above ground and below.
Thorndon Country Park, Essex | data |
Essex County Council are working with the Environment Agency to install a series of leaky wood debris dams upstream of Old Hall Pond in Thorndon Country Park, Essex. This aims to reduce the flood peaks downstream in West Horndon, a village prone to flooding. Flooding in West Horndon last occurred in 2012. It is also hoped that the dams will slow the transport of sediment into Old Hall Pond, which may affect the fish stocks, and so we are measuring turbidity levels in Old Hall Pond pre- and post- installation of the debris dams.
Cropton forest beaver project | data |
On 17 April 2019, two adult beavers from Scotland were released into an enclosure in Cropton Forest, North Yorkshire as part of a five-year scientific trial. FreeStations are supporting monitoring of the hydrological impacts of the reintroduction in relation to Natural Flood Management.
Urban Climate resilience
Urban air pollution
Rural air, noise and light pollution
