Key Takeaways
- Artificial intelligence is being used to study seal numbers at a protected Scottish site, drastically cutting the time it takes to assess data.
- Marine biologist Claire Stainfield is using drone footage to monitor and count grey seals at Newburgh beach in Aberdeenshire.
- The AI tool can process data in seconds, saving hours of manual counting and opening up possibilities for use in other areas of ecology.
- The study aims to assess the impact of tourist numbers on the seal population, with the site seeing a significant increase in visitors in recent years.
- The use of drones and AI could revolutionize the field of ecology, providing accurate counts and minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
Introduction to the Study
The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the field of ecology, and a recent study at a protected Scottish site is a prime example. Marine biologist and PhD student Claire Stainfield is using drone footage to monitor and count grey seals at Newburgh beach in Aberdeenshire, with the aim of assessing the impact of tourist numbers on the population. As Claire noted, "If you talk to anyone from about 50 years ago, there were only about 10 to 20 seals on the beach. Now, at their peak, there are over 3,000." This significant increase in seal numbers, combined with a rise in tourist visits, makes the site an ideal location for studying the effects of human activity on wildlife.
The Study Site
Newburgh beach, located in Aberdeenshire, is home to a large colony of grey seals and has been a designated seal haul-out site since 2017. The site provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study the behavior of these animals in their natural habitat. As Claire described, "The Ythan Estuary at Newburgh beach became a designated seal haul-out site in 2017. These are protected locations on land where seals come ashore to rest and breed." The beach is also a popular tourist destination, with visitors drawn to the area to catch a glimpse of the seals. However, it is essential to remember that disturbing the seals in any way is an offense, and visitors are asked to stick to the south side of the beach to minimize disruption.
Methodology and Results
Claire’s research involves using drone footage to monitor the seal population and assess the impact of tourist numbers on their behavior. She has been collecting data points once a week for two years, providing a comprehensive understanding of the seasonality of the seals’ use of the beach. As she noted, "My drone footage is getting GPS locations of where they’re sitting." The data collected has shown that during the summer months, the seals tend to congregate at the mouth of the estuary, where they spend more time foraging and at sea. In contrast, during the winter months, when they are breeding and moulting, they haul out at the high tide mark, which is closer to the new walkway and viewing point for tourists.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence has been instrumental in processing the data collected from the drone footage. Claire has developed an AI model that can identify and count the seals in seconds, saving hours of manual counting. As she said, "I was getting 1,000 seals a survey so I needed something which would help me streamline the data." The AI model has been trained to recognize the seals, and Claire has reported that it can process a drone image showing approximately 2,500 seals in seconds, a task that would normally take three hours. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of ecology, providing accurate counts and minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The study at Newburgh beach has demonstrated the potential of using drones and artificial intelligence in ecology. The AI tool has significantly reduced the time it takes to process data, allowing researchers to focus on analyzing the results and making informed decisions. As Claire noted, "Drones and ecology are really taking off, people are using them much more. They give accurate counts, they’re less invasive so you can get to more difficult areas and not disturb the seals as much." The next stage of the research will involve testing the AI model on different sites and species, with the potential to open up new avenues for study and conservation. The use of this technology could have far-reaching implications for the field of ecology, enabling researchers to monitor and protect wildlife more effectively.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0736nd382o