‘Smart computer that could save our forests’
Is technology our best hope? A team of university professors have developed a piece of machinery that might protect the future of
our forests.
You are standing in the middle of a barren forest. The remains of destroyed trees are lying on the floor. This once rich ecosystem is now a bed of branches.
It is not easy monitoring the life of a forest. Many are huge, with millions of trees. Few people — or computer programs — could cope. It would take a huge amount of energy to watch every tree. But now a team from the University of Maine in the
USA has developed a new way of using AI to protect soil moisture. It saves energy and it is cheap.
Soil moisture is important in forested areas. Trees cannot grow without it. Maine has been hit by severe droughts over the past summers. Technology used in the past was too expensive to use. It was even banned for researchers.
Now, experts have taught their program how to be smart and use less energy to monitor the soil. Scientists hope this invention will reduce the costs and help to save the forests.
our forests.
Build the Change Challenge
Trees not only boost our mental health, but they clean the air we breathe. In this challenge, you will design a new park that is thriving with life.
Step 1: Come up with the design. What are the key features of your park? How will it help the ecosystem? Think about the space and nature it has within it.
Step 2: Create your design! You can draw a picture of it or, if you have time, use craft materials and LEGO® bricks to make a real version of your park paradise
See what other builders made
