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Microsoft - How AI is helping track endangered species - xSicKxBot - 08-06-2019

How AI is helping track endangered species

<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/how-ai-is-helping-track-endangered-species.jpg" width="3600" height="2391" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto">The Hawaiian</span><b><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;</span></b><span data-contrast="none">poʻo-uli</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">a small</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;bird</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;from the honeycreeper family</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">was&nbsp;</span><a href="https://mauiforestbirds.org/poouli/"><span data-contrast="none">first discovered in 1973</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. Less than half a century later, it disappeared&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">from</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;the planet.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Declared extinct in 2018, it is one of almost 700 vertebrate species that h</span><span data-contrast="auto">a</span><span data-contrast="auto">ve</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;been</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.ipbes.net/system/tdf/spm_global_unedited_advance.pdf?file=1&amp;type=node&amp;id=35245"><span data-contrast="none">driven to extinction</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;in the last 500 years. According to a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment-report-biodiversity-ecosystem-services"><span data-contrast="none">U</span><span data-contrast="none">nited Nations</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;report</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;issued earlier this year</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;to policymakers,&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">one</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;million species are at</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;risk of extinction:</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">H</span><span data-contrast="auto">uman actions threaten more plants and animals than ever before.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Although the precise number of species on the planet</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;is difficult to calculate</span><span data-contrast="auto">, recent estimates put it&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">at&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.nature.com/news/2011/110823/full/news.2011.498.html"><span data-contrast="none">around 8.7 million</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The plight of the&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">poʻo-uli</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;illustrates a key problem for conservationists:&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">It is difficult</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;to track and monitor populations</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;of endangered species</span><span data-contrast="auto">. Despite efforts to tag and locate the dwindling&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">poʻo-uli</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">population, scientists were unable to unite breeding pairs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Now,&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">technology is offering hope to scientists. Collecting better data and&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">analyzing</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;it more effectively with&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/ai-for-earth-projects?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr2"><span data-contrast="none">machine learning and AI</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;allows conservationists to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">make&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">more targeted and timely interventions.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Here are five ways Microsoft and conservation efforts are coming together&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">help endangered species.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="none">[Subscribe to&nbsp;</span></i><a href="https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/#subscribe"><i><span data-contrast="none">Microsoft on the Issues</span></i></a><i><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;for more on the topics that matter most.]</span></i></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Identifying lions</span></b><b><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;and giraffes</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7567" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/how-ai-is-helping-track-endangered-species.jpg" alt="Lion sitting on grass, Masai Mara, Kenya"></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Facial</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;and pattern</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">recognition technology allows researchers to pinpoint and track individual animals, helping&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">scientists</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;monitor populations and&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">their&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">migrations</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However,&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">w</span><span data-contrast="auto">ithout&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">the&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">distinctive markings&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">of&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">cheetahs and leopards, it is&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">harder&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">for researchers to identify individual&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">lions</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;The Lion Identification Network of Collaborators uses facial recognition techniques to&nbsp;</span><a href="http://iefrd.com/linc.html"><span data-contrast="none">monitor population levels</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Identification involves taking a high-quality photo and zooming in on areas such as whisker spots – something a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lion-facial-recognition-debuts-in-africa/?redirect=1"><span data-contrast="none">computer is more capable</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;of than the human eye. Th</span><span data-contrast="auto">is</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;tech</span><span data-contrast="auto">nology</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;helps reduce reliance on expensive and difficult</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">to</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">fit GPS monitors,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;which can have&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">limited&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">battery&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">life.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Similar technology is being used by r</span><span data-contrast="auto">esearchers from Penn State</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;University</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">the&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">Wild Nature Institute</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">study</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;the</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;births, deaths</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">and movements of more than 3,000 giraffes in northern Tanzania</span><span data-contrast="auto">.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Habitat loss and&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">i</span><span data-contrast="auto">llegal&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">hunting</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;for meat ha</span><span data-contrast="auto">ve</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;meant giraffe populations have experienced a dramatic decline</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;in recent years</span><span data-contrast="auto">. Pattern</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">recognition technology trained&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954118300426?via%3Dihub"><span data-contrast="none">to identify the unique markings</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;on a giraffe’s torso can now&nbsp;</span><a href="https://dereklee.scienceblog.com/189/wild-nature-institute-penn-state-and-microsoft-azure-work-together-to-find-the-giraffe-in-the-bushes/"><span data-contrast="none">process images in minutes</span><span data-contrast="none">, a task</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;that previously&nbsp;</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">took&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">conservationists weeks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong>Monitoring the impact of humans on grizzly bear populations&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Clayton Lamb, a researcher at the University of Alberta</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Canada, is using Microsoft Azure tools along with AI to</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;create a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://lamb-eco-research.ca/"><span data-contrast="none">comprehensive analysis</span></a><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;of the human and environmental factors limiting grizzly bear density in British Columbia</span><span data-contrast="auto">.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With human populations increasingly expanding into areas of wilderness, the grizzly is coming under threat as its habitat is&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">shrinking</span><span data-contrast="auto">. The</span><span data-contrast="auto">se</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;roaming omnivores are particularly sensitive to human disturbance</span><span data-contrast="auto">, and globally now&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">live</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">in</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;a</span><span data-contrast="auto">n area&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">only&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">a</span><span data-contrast="auto">bout</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/mammals/grizzly_bear.html"><span data-contrast="none">half&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">their</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;original range</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Lamb</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;uses DNA sampling and GPS collars to track individual bears&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">in order to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">better understand the connectivity between populations and their habitats at a granular level.&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">By generating such specific data, he&nbsp;is able to&nbsp;move his work beyond theoretical population ecology and suggest steps to reduce the impact of humans on wildlife populations.</span></p>
<p><strong>Assessing whale health and feeding patterns</strong><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">At Duke University</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;in North Carolina</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;scientists are using</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/people/students/gray"><span data-contrast="none">marine robotics and remote</span><span data-contrast="none">–</span><span data-contrast="none">sensing</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;machine</span><span data-contrast="auto">–</span><span data-contrast="auto">learning models on Microsoft Azur</span><span data-contrast="auto">e</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;to assess data relating to the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FND4_BMQZNGsYWFb2LN8m_eGAomNQa57/view"><span data-contrast="none">size and health of whales</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">As oceans warm, krill stocks – a critical whale food – are falling, while fishing and commercial exploitation of habitats&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">are</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;also placing a strain on whale populations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Given the&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">distance</span><span data-contrast="auto">s</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;whales travel, monitoring their movements using traditional methods is both time-consuming and expensive. Neural networks have allowed scientists to link multiple systems</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;including satellites, drones and autonomous underwater vehicles</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;to paint a more comprehensive picture of the migration and health of these great animals.</span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Tracking penguin populations</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7569" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/how-ai-is-helping-track-endangered-species-1.jpg" alt="Penguins playing"></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">M</span><span data-contrast="auto">onitoring penguin populations</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;in remote habitats</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;is&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">also&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">difficult</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">work</span><span data-contrast="auto">. Identifying colonies often involves looking for hard-to-find markers&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">such as&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">guano stains on rock</span><span data-contrast="auto">s of a very similar color.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">E</span><span data-contrast="auto">cologist Heather J</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Lynch</span><span data-contrast="auto">, from</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;the Department of Ecology and Evolution</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Stony Brook University</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">is coupling AI capabilities with predictive population modelling to allow&nbsp;</span><a href="https://news.stonybrook.edu/alumni/grant-will-aid-lynchs-penguin-colony-research/"><span data-contrast="none">real-time tracking of Antarctic penguins</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">She’s using&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">c</span><span data-contrast="auto">omputer vision&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">search for guano stains in satellite imagery&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">in order&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">to&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">inform and develop&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">the&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">classification algorithms&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">that</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;generate population estimates for colonies.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Protecting elephants from poachers</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It is estimated that an&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">elephant was killed&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.leonardodicaprio.org/resolve-trailguard-ground-sensors-for-advanced-conservation-monitoring/"><span data-contrast="none">every 15 minutes</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;between 2007 and 2014</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;–</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">a</span><span data-contrast="auto">nd&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">that&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">25,000 to 35,000 wer</span><span data-contrast="auto">e</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;killed each year</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;by poachers</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">for their ivory</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With huge areas to monitor, defending&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">these animals</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;is a challenge</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">R</span><span data-contrast="auto">esources&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">can</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;be thinly&nbsp;spread,&nbsp;communication&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">can be</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;patchy and gathering usable data tricky.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The&nbsp;</span><a href="http://elephantlisteningproject.org/"><span data-contrast="none">Elephant Listening Project</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;is helping protect the threatened forest elephant.</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;Teams at Cornell University</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;in Ithaca, N</span><span data-contrast="auto">ew York</span><span data-contrast="auto">, with&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">assistance&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">from Conservation Metrics</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">based in Santa Cruz, C</span><span data-contrast="auto">alifornia</span><span data-contrast="auto">,&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">are&nbsp;</span><a href="http://conservationmetrics.com/services/"><span data-contrast="none">using AI to identify and analyze</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;recordings of elephant calls, helping to create an&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">“</span><span data-contrast="auto">elephant dictionary</span><span data-contrast="auto">”</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;by&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/?__hstc=129768915.8036b6008a94c323c5b4a6f7e160cb47.1561025158404.1561025158404.1561025158404.1&amp;__hssc=129768915.9.1561025158405&amp;__hsfp=3089269932#_ga=2.35066209.1532822489.1561025157-783629216.1561025157"><span data-contrast="none">matching noises to behavior</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">growing</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;understanding of elephant communication</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;is allowing researchers to better appreciate the impact of factors&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">such as&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">oil exploration, logging</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;and</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;poaching</span><span data-contrast="auto">, as well as&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="auto">enabling them</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;to</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://news.microsoft.com/en-au/features/can-sound-help-save-a-dwindling-elephant-population-scientists-using-ai-think-so/"><span data-contrast="none">coordinate conservation efforts</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;more efficiently</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="none">For more on how AI can be used to solve global environmental challenges, visit&nbsp;</span></i><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/ai-for-earth?activetab=pivot1:primaryr6"><i><span data-contrast="none">AI for Earth</span></i></a><i><span data-contrast="none">. And follow @<a href="https://aka.ms/AA5c3au">MSFTIssues</a>&nbsp;on Twitter.  </span></i><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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