Susan Graham: A new way to restore Earth's biodiversity -- from the air | TED

Summary

Every year, humans degrade millions of hectares of land, with over two billion hectares of degraded land worldwide. Ecological restoration is a complex challenge that goes beyond tree planting, requiring technology like drones and AI to scale efforts. In Australia, these tools are being used to restore ecosystems impacted by coal mining, bushfires, and agriculture. Projects aim to revive biodiversity, create koala habitats, and restore unique ecosystems, such as on Lord Howe Island. This approach focuses not just on planting trees, but on restoring nature's full complexity and beauty on a vast scale.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Human activity is rapidly changing 10 million hectares of land annually, contributing to global land degradation.
• 🌱 Over two billion hectares of land worldwide are currently degraded and need urgent restoration.
• 🛠️ Restoration is a complex challenge that goes beyond simply planting trees; it requires restoring entire ecosystems.
• 🌳 Drones and machine learning are transforming restoration efforts by allowing large-scale planting of native vegetation with precision.
• 📊 Machine learning helps in planning and monitoring the restoration process to ensure optimal results.
• 🇦🇺 In Australia, drone-based planting and AI are being used to restore land mined for coal, focusing on bringing back biodiverse ecosystems.
• 🔥 Bushfires and land-clearing for agriculture have decimated native forests in Australia, making restoration efforts critical for wildlife habitats.
• 🐨 Koala populations are at risk due to the loss of their natural habitat, and restoration projects aim to restore thousands of hectares of koala forests.
• 🌍 The combined use of drones and AI allows for scaling up restoration efforts from a small island to large regions, even entire continents.
• 🦋 Lord Howe Island, plagued by invasive species, is undergoing ecological restoration with the help of technology to bring back native species and ecosystems.
• 🌿 The goal is not just to plant billions of trees but to restore nature in its full complexity and beauty, including ecosystems and native species.

Q & A

What is the primary issue discussed in the transcript?

The primary issue discussed is the degradation of land, with over two billion hectares of land affected globally, and the urgent need for restoration.

Why is restoring ecosystems a complex challenge?

Restoring ecosystems is complex because it requires the return of native, diverse ecosystems, not just simple solutions like planting trees, which demand deep ecological expertise.

How has technology improved land restoration efforts?

Technology, specifically drones and machine learning, has improved land restoration by enabling the gathering of data and the ability to plant the right mix of vegetation quickly and at large scales.

What role do drones play in land restoration?

Drones help by gathering data and enabling large-scale planting of the right mix of vegetation, which is crucial for restoring ecosystems efficiently.

How does machine learning contribute to restoration efforts?

Machine learning helps by planning the planting process and monitoring the progress of restoration work, ensuring that the correct strategies are employed for optimal results.

Can you give an example of a successful land restoration project mentioned in the transcript?

One example is the restoration project in Australia, where drone-based planting and AI technology are used to restore thousands of hectares of land that were mined for coal.

What is the significance of restoring koala forests in Australia?

Restoring koala forests is vital for ensuring food sources and safe habitats for koalas, particularly after bushfires and land clearing have devastated their natural environment.

How does the restoration project in Australia scale up?

The restoration project in Australia scales up by using combined technologies, allowing the restoration of ecosystems from a small island to an entire continent, transforming landscapes that were once mined or cleared.

What is the role of invasive species on Lord Howe Island, and how is it being addressed?

Invasive species on Lord Howe Island threaten native ecosystems. The restoration efforts focus on eradicating these undesirable species to allow native plants and animals to thrive.

What is the broader goal of restoration efforts mentioned in the transcript?

The broader goal is not just to plant billions of trees, but to restore nature in all its complexity and beauty, including diverse ecosystems that support a wide variety of species.