Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have developed a new technology using lasers and artificial intelligence to assess hurricane damage in forests. Dr. Carlos Silva, an assistant professor at UF/IFAS, explained that traditional methods of assessing damage, such as field measurements, can be time-consuming and inefficient. By using remote sensing methods like lidar and NASA satellites, Silva and his team were able to create detailed maps of forest damage caused by hurricanes. These maps, available online, provide valuable information for planning restoration efforts and making management decisions. The innovative use of technology in forest monitoring has the potential to greatly benefit those impacted by natural disasters. By combining ground data with satellite imagery and AI, researchers hope to provide a useful tool for better preparing for future hurricanes.
Vocabulary List:
- Assess (verb): To evaluate or estimate the natureabilityor quality of something.
- Remote sensing (noun): The collection of data about an object from a distance.
- Lidar (noun): A technology that uses laser light to measure distances to objects.
- Restoration (noun): The action of returning something to a former ownerplaceor condition.
- Management decisions (noun phrase): Choices made by individuals or groups regarding the utilization of resources and activities to achieve specified goals.
- Innovative (adjective): Introducing new ideas original and creative in thinking.
