Deep Learning For Ecological Monitoring: Performance In Novel Habitats And Benefits Of varied Training Data

Deep Learning For Ecological Monitoring: Performance In Novel Habitats And Benefits Of varied Training Data

By PhD candidate Ellen Ditria, Reading Time: 452 words, about 2 minutes. Fish IDing Sample. Photo: Global Wetlands Project. Deep learning has fast become recognised as a powerful data processing tool for ecologists faced with vast amounts of image-based data. The ability of deep learning to accurately detect target species in videos and images unlocks [...]

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Citizen Science can Supercharge Ecological Monitoring

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Citizen Science can Supercharge Ecological Monitoring

By Dr. Eva McClure Read Time: 550 words, about 3 minutes. People often imagine the future of technology, and science fiction has depicted many dystopian futures where artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over human civilisation. While AI surpassing human cognition is still in the realms of science fiction, AI technology and software with the capacity [...]

Cautious optimism for the mighty Indian Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

Cautious optimism for the mighty Indian Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

By Dr Michael Sievers and Dr Mahua Roy Chowdhury Read Time: 481 words about 3 minutes. Royal Bengal Tiger. Photo: Unknown. Despite historic clearing and an Endangered status, there are positive signs when it comes to one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in the world - The Indian Sundarbans. The Indian Sundarbans form part of [...]

Fragmentation threatens mangrove forests but protection can help – in some areas

Fragmentation threatens mangrove forests but protection can help – in some areas

By Dr Mischa Turschwell Read Time: 342 words about 2 minutes. Mangrove forest conservation is increasingly attracting international interest. That’s because mangroves support incredible biodiversity, enhance fisheries, protect vulnerable coastal communities from storms, and reduce climate change by storing carbon.  Lone Mangrove Sunset. Photo: Unknown. Unfortunately, mangrove forests remain one of the worlds most threatened ecosystems. Pressures from forest fragmentation, climate change, increasing exploitation [...]

There are cross-benefits to protecting coastal wetlands in the wake of COVID-19

There are cross-benefits to protecting coastal wetlands in the wake of COVID-19

Dr Ryan Pearson Read Time: 503 words about 3 minutes. The effects of COVID-19 on the world has been profound. We're now re-evaluating intergovernmental, trade and personal relationships, and rethinking our consumer needs. Environmental groups have been encouraging people to 'eat more fish' in response to this pandemic.  Consumer surveys during the pandemic have  also highlighted [...]

How can we best assess the threats and status of connected coastal wetland habitats?

How can we best assess the threats and status of connected coastal wetland habitats?

By Dr Michael Sievers Reading Time: 485 words about 3 minutes. Habitat degradation is a global crisis. Quantifying and evaluating habitat change and its impacts on ecosystem function is needed to inform management and conservation that ultimately safeguards biodiversity and human benefits. Many of these benefits in coastal ecosystems depend not only on habitat status, [...]

Global fragmentation of mangrove forests

Global fragmentation of mangrove forests

By Dr Chris Brown Read Time: 354 words about 2 minutes. To inform conservation actions we need global indicators of wetland ecosystems that represent changes in ecosystem function. But current indicators are largely based on changes in the area of wetland ecosystems. In our new study we mapped fragmentation of mangrove habitats at a global scale. [...]