MANNA-VISW: A Low-Cost Multimodal Autonomous Platform for Environmental and Ecosystem Recovery Monitoring in Disconnected Post-Disaster Scenarios
Abstract
Monitoring environmental degradation requires robust solutions capable of capturing the complex dynamics of ecosystems. This study presents VISW (Verona Image, Sound, and Weather), a low-cost autonomous platform designed for long-term operation in remote areas, developed with support from the MANNA and LEEB research groups. The system employs a multimodal sensing approach, integrating weather data acquisition, multispectral imaging, and environmental acoustic monitoring. VISW was engineered for continuous autonomous operation, incorporating dedicated energy management, data acquisition, and storage subsystems suitable for adverse field conditions. This work was developed in the context of the Fundão dam collapse (2015), one of the largest environmental disasters in Brazil’s history. To monitor biodiversity recovery in the impacted areas, nine VISW Station units were deployed throughout the Doce River basin (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Data collection has been continuously carried out since September 2024, creating a valuable multimodal dataset composed of environmental sounds, multispectral images, and meteorological data from the affected regions. This dataset enables the investigation of complex relationships among vegetation dynamics, climatic patterns, and local soundscapes, providing a comprehensive understanding of ecological processes in areas impacted by disasters. Finally, field tests validated the VISW as a robust, scalable, and cost-effective solution for long-term environmental monitoring.