Google Partners with Scientists to Map Beaver Habitats Using AI
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Google has teamed up with scientists to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in mapping beaver habitats. The project, named Earth Engine Automated Geospatial Elements Recognition (EEAGER), aims to identify and map the infrastructure built by beavers across California.
The initiative began when two forward-thinking Google employees approached Emily Fairfax, a beaver researcher and assistant geography professor at the University of Minnesota. They wanted to explore the possibility of training computers to detect beaver wetlands using aerial imagery.
Beavers’ extensive dams have long been visible on satellite and drone imagery, with researchers using these technologies to locate and map them. However, the process has been time-consuming. This is where the potential of machine learning caught Fairfax’s attention: if humans could do it, why not teach a computer?
Recognizing Google’s expertise in AI and machine learning, Fairfax joined forces with a team of engineers, scientists, and conservationists. Together, they are now utilizing the EEAGER platform to map beaver habitats in California. The project is a collaborative effort between Google, the Nature Conservancy, and the state of California.
The ecological implications of beavers’ engineering abilities are immense. By constructing dams, ponds, and wetlands, beavers store large amounts of water, both on the surface and underground. During periods of drought, these water reserves serve as a vital resource for plants. Additionally, these beaver-engineered structures reduce erosion and mitigate the impacts of flooding and wildfires.
The collaboration between Google and the conservation group is pioneering, aiming to pave the way for effective conservation strategies that can enhance beaver populations, mitigate flooding, and combat wildfires in California. Notably, the project also seeks to address the lack of data on the distribution and population of beavers, enabling conservationists to assess the effectiveness of their efforts and identify potential locations for beaver reintroduction.
Similar endeavors are underway in Canada through a project called Beavers from Space. However, unlike EEAGER, the project relies on human volunteers to analyze satellite images manually. While human involvement remains important, experts recognize the valuable role that technology, including AI and algorithms, can play in conservation efforts.
Despite historical views of beavers as pests or valuable for their fur, attitudes are gradually shifting. Fairfax envisions a future where humans and beavers coexist harmoniously, benefiting from each other’s presence. She acknowledges that while beavers may not return to their pre-colonization numbers, their vital contribution to ecosystem health and resilience makes them invaluable.
The Google-led initiative is a significant step forward in understanding and managing beaver habitats. By harnessing the power of AI and machine learning, the project aims to make conservation efforts more effective and ensure the long-term viability of beaver populations. The combined efforts of scientists, engineers, and conservationists are breathing new life into the coexistence between humans and beavers, setting a precedent for sustainable conservation practices globally.
