Artificial intelligence is making waves in the field of wildlife research, particularly in the study of hard-to-reach threatened species like the marbled murrelet. Researchers at Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service have utilized AI to analyze millions of hours of audio recordings collected from federal forests in Washington and Oregon between 2018 and 2022.
Identifying Marbled Murrelet Calls with Machine Learning
To sift through the enormous amount of data collected, researchers developed a machine learning algorithm that can identify the call patterns of marbled murrelets. This groundbreaking technology has been published in the Ecological Indicators journal and has the potential to significantly impact habitat conservation efforts.
Protecting Threatened Species
Marbled murrelets, listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, raise their young in old trees along the West Coast. With the help of AI, researchers can now monitor the birds’ natural calling patterns without the need for invasive and disruptive methods.
New Era of Data Collection
This innovative approach to wildlife research represents a new era of data collection in ecology. By utilizing AI technology, researchers can uniformly sample over 100 species with a single monitoring effort, revolutionizing the field of wildlife conservation.
Conclusion
As an expert Artificial Intelligence journalist, the use of AI in wildlife research is a groundbreaking development with far-reaching implications. The integration of machine learning algorithms into conservation efforts has the potential to transform the way we study and protect threatened species. What are your thoughts on the use of AI in ecology? Share your insights in the comments below.
IntelliPrompt curated this article: Read the full story at the original source by clicking here