What makes a good tree? We used AI to ask birds
Researchers collaborated with Australian authorities to use AI in designing artificial tree crowns mimicking large old trees to provide suitable bird habitats amidst declining natural habitats, showcasing an innovative and sustainable design approach.
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In a collaborative effort with the Australian Capital Territory Parks and Conservation Service, researchers have utilized AI and machine learning to understand what makes a good tree habitat from a bird's perspective. Large old trees are crucial for bird nesting, foraging, and roosting, but their numbers are declining due to urban development. By studying bird preferences for tree characteristics, researchers have designed artificial structures to mimic the features of large old trees. Laser scanning and AI were used to recognize tree branches and predict bird behavior, leading to the development of lightweight and easily installable artificial tree crowns. These structures aim to provide suitable habitat for birds, filling the gap left by the diminishing large old trees. The next step involves field testing to gather feedback from birds and further refine the designs. This innovative approach not only benefits bird populations but also sets a precedent for inclusive and sustainable design processes that involve non-human stakeholders in creating better environments for all species.
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8 commentsIt sounded like a great use of an ML classifier interpreting raw data (possibly video footage?) of bird observations... Until the line where they reveal their data source for the model was already classified data from a previous study. And the previous study also had similar conclusions about horizontal branches on tall old trees being the most preferred.
But of course, that's not as cool as using lasers to scan trees and AI to analyse the data. And I admit that in the case of the Australian bush, there may not be enough people living in the affected areas to collect enough information, so perhaps this is in fact the way to go.
We get hawk shaped marks on the windows where the small birds fly towards them and do a quick turn which the hawk can't do.
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