Terrestrial Biodiversity Data Processing and Sharing Architectural Model Based on IoT Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

This conceptual review examines the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in processing, analyzing, and sharing terrestrial biodiversity data (TBD) to advance sustainable livelihoods in rural and arid environments. The review explores how IoT-based architectures can facilitate real-time data collection, integration, and dissemination to strengthen environmental monitoring, biodiversity management, and community decision-making. By linking technological innovation with ecosystem stewardship, IoT emerges as a key enabler for bridging the digital divide in biodiversity informatics and empowering marginalized populations to engage in adaptive and sustainable practices. The paper discusses how IoT systems; sensors, wireless networks, cloud computing, and mobile interfaces enable the acquisition and analysis of critical environmental parameters such as vegetation dynamics, soil moisture, and wildlife distribution. Through these systems, biodiversity data becomes a dynamic resource for guiding natural resource use, predicting environmental risks, and improving livelihood strategies. The integration of IoT technologies enhances transparency, accessibility, and the scalability of biodiversity information flows across institutional and community levels. Consequently, IoT-enabled data ecosystems contribute not only to the preservation of biodiversity but also to improved food security, income diversification, and resilience to climate shocks. Despite these advantages, challenges persist, including limited interoperability of IoT systems, concerns over data quality and privacy, inadequate infrastructure, and low digital literacy among rural users. Addressing these barriers requires coherent policy interventions, investment in IoT infrastructure, and inclusive capacity-building programs. The paper determines that integrating IoT-driven biodiversity architectures with sustainable development frameworks presents a viable pathway toward ecological resilience and socio-economic transformation. In operationalizing the intersection of technology, data, and livelihoods, IoT offers an innovative model for sustainable coexistence between people and nature. The paper concludes with policy implications, research gaps, and prospects for advancing IoT-driven biodiversity data ecosystems in Kenya and beyond.