GNSS Technology Supports Biodiversity Protection at the National Tropical Botanical Garden

Hawaii hosts one of the world’s most diverse and fragile ecosystems, making precise conservation practices essential. The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), headquartered in Kalāheo, manages approximately 2,000 acres of gardens and preserves dedicated to protecting rare and endangered tropical plant species. Across ten sites in Hawaii and Florida, NTBG maintains detailed records for roughly 112,000 plants, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Accurate geographic positioning plays a central role in NTBG’s conservation strategy. Each plant specimen is geolocated at the time of planting, along with genetic lineage information that supports long-term biodiversity management. This precise spatial documentation enables researchers to track survival, growth, and genetic diversity across generations—even in cases where physical plant markers are lost or environmental conditions change.

To modernize field data collection, NTBG transitioned from paper mapping and post-processed GPS workflows to a real-time GNSS-enabled system. Using mobile data collection tools paired with a sub-meter-accuracy GNSS receiver, staff now capture highly precise plant locations directly in the field. The spatial data is uploaded to the Living Collections database and integrated into GIS platforms, where it supports research analysis, reporting, and field navigation for ongoing monitoring programs.

GIS applications also allow conservation teams to locate individual plants quickly, evaluate ecological patterns, and design restoration strategies that maximize genetic diversity. This integrated workflow improves operational efficiency while strengthening scientific research and decision-making.

By combining modern GNSS technology with mobile GIS tools, NTBG has established a scalable, high-accuracy conservation system that supports plant monitoring from propagation to reintroduction. The approach ensures that both the plants and the critical spatial knowledge associated with them are preserved—helping safeguard tropical biodiversity for future generations.