A workflow for microclimate sensor networks: Integrating geographic tools, statistics, and local knowledge

Abstract

Wireless environmental sensors have become integral tools in environmental and conservation research, offering diverse data streams that complement traditional inventory-based surveys. Despite advancements in sensor technology, the ad hoc nature of site selection for sensor deployment often limits the potential of collected data. Here, we argue for the importance of informed site selection to capture environmental variation effectively. We introduce a comprehensive step-by-step practical guide for environmental sensor site selection and network deployment, drawing on experiences from diverse geographic locations and focusing specifically on microclimate sensors as a representative environmental variable. The workflow integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, local community-based knowledge, and statistical methods to provide adaptive and iterative guidelines for both new and expanded sensor deployments. We demonstrate how the workflow facilitated research across three distinct settings: measuring heat waves in urban and rural gardens in Belgium, informing plant conservation in arid montane deserts in Oman, and monitoring amphibian distributions in humid forested landscapes in Madagascar. To facilitate the workflow's implementation and reproducibility worldwide, we provide a modular software supplement with flexible user input for robust, data-driven and interactive site selection. Critically, our workflow underscores the importance of equitable collaboration with local stakeholders, addresses challenges in sensor deployment, and offers a practical tool to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental sensing across disciplines including ecology, meteorology, agriculture, and landscape design.