Artificial intelligence has revolutionized many aspects of life, and wildlife conservation is no exception. AI is being increasingly used by conservationists to enhance their ability to protect endangered species and preserve habitats. Through AI technology, conservationists can obtain real-time data on the behavior, migration patterns, and health of animals and plants, making it easier to respond to threats, minimize the impact of human activity, and prevent further environmental damage. In this article, we will explore the ways in which artificial intelligence is being used for wildlife conservation and how it is helping to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.
Tracking animal populations
One of the most significant challenges for conservationists is tracking animal populations. Traditionally, scientists have had to use manual counting methods, which are time-consuming, laborious, and often inaccurate. However, with the help of AI, monitoring becomes an easy task. AI technology can be used to facilitate animal identification, allowing conservationists to monitor animal populations with greater accuracy and efficiency. The use of drones equipped with image recognition software and cameras can offer quick and accurate aerial surveys.
For instance, the World Conservation Society, along with the University of Southern Denmark, used AI in their wildlife conservation efforts in Tanzania. They used deep learning algorithms to analyze images of aerial surveys taken by drones. This offered quick and accurate population counts for elephants and giraffes over large areas of land. Using this technology, conservationists can identify individual animals and monitor their population size, behavior, and migration patterns, among other characteristics.
Preventing poaching
Poaching is one of the biggest threats to wild animals, and many endangered species are at risk of extinction due to poaching. Elephant ivory is a prime example, with elephant populations continuing to plummet across Africa. AI technology is helping to fight poaching by enabling conservationists to monitor protected areas and detect illegal activity in real-time.
For instance, AI-powered cameras are being used to monitor the movements of poachers in protected areas, providing valuable data to rangers and helping to intercept poachers before they have a chance to kill wildlife. These cameras are equipped with machine learning algorithms that can detect and identify human activity in real-time. Additionally, AI algorithms can also predict where and when wildlife poaching is most likely to occur, allowing conservationists to take preventive measures and apprehend poachers before they cause any harm.
Understanding animal behaviour for better conservation
Understanding animal behavior is a crucial factor in wildlife conservation. AI technology is being used to analyze animal behavior, providing rich information on how animals interact with their environment. This data can help conservationists understand the ecological needs of animals, including migration patterns, mating habits, and feeding behavior, among other characteristics.
Michigan University has been using AI technology to understand penguin behavior. They have been using GPS to track penguin movements, and from this data, their artificial intelligence algorithms can identify the penguins that couples with each other, the types of interaction taking place, and finally, the distance covered by a particular penguin pair over the breeding season. This information has opened up new avenues for conservationists to protect the Adélie penguin, a species whose populations have been decreasing due to climate change.
Protecting marine life
AI technology is also being used to monitor marine life. The Equinor company has recently partnered with Intel to use AI to monitor the of marine life around their offshore rigs, which will help reduce the rigs’ impact on marine life and safeguard these vital habitats’ ecosystems. Equinor Company is using computer vision and AI to automatically count the fish and crustaceans around their rigs and analyze the wildlife’s behavior.
This will allow the company to study the effects of its rig on marine life and implement measures to minimize negative impacts without the usual risks to human divers’ safety. This data will inform the company of how their actions are interacting with marine life and provide inventive strategies to limit any negative impacts on the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important to the preservation of our earth’s biodiversity. From monitoring wildlife populations to preventing poaching, tracking animal behavior to protecting marine life, AI is sharing the story of animals and their lives and, as a result, helps to inform conservation efforts. There is no doubt that AI technology has the power to transform wildlife conservation and push the boundaries of what we know about the natural world, providing us with greater insights into ways to protect and enhance our delicate ecosystem.
Without AI, illegal poachers could continue to target endangered wildlife and damage already struggling ecosystems. And without constantly monitoring and understanding the environment around us, we will struggle to protect the web of life – a vital component of their existence. AI is undoubtedly making conservation-related activities more efficient and accessible, allowing us to come up with better strategies and helping us fight against odds.