How can cities ensure tree safety without relying on expensive monitoring systems?
At the EGU General Assembly 2026 in Vienna, the TREESURE project presented a promising solution: a low-cost sensor capable of accurately monitoring tree stability in urban environments. During the poster session at the Austria Center Vienna, the work attracted strong interest from experts, sparking lively discussions with researchers, practitioners, and city stakeholders. Feedback focused on the potential of the solution for real-world deployment, particularly its scalability and cost-effectiveness for municipalities. These exchanges further highlighted the growing relevance of integrating IoT technologies with Nature-Based Solutions to support data-driven, proactive management of urban green infrastructure.
Our researcher Ilaria Incollu presented the results of a recent study on MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) technology in a low-cost inclinometer. These devices can detect very small changes in tree inclination, and these measurements are crucial for identifying potential structural instability and preventing tree failures. The results of the study demonstrate that this low-cost technology can achieve a high level of accuracy, comparable to professional and more expensive instruments typically used in tree monitoring.
This is a clear example of how research can have a real impact. In fact, our findings open new opportunities for cities and land managers:
- Scalability: enabling large-scale monitoring of urban green infrastructure
- Prevention: supporting early detection of risks and proactive maintenance
- Sustainability: helping preserve the ecological and climate benefits of urban trees
We are also particularly proud of this research because it represents a strong example of collaboration. The work was developed jointly by the DAGRI and DICEA departments of the University of Florence and Bluebiloba, within the TREESURE project framework.
For those interested in exploring the research in more detail, the conference abstract is available at the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-11666 and full paper here: https://doi.org/10.3390/f17020250
TREESURE continues to explore innovative tools to support safer, more resilient, and climate-adaptive cities. Stay tuned for more updates on our work!
