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AI deployed to track declining tree cover
Artificial intelligence technology is being used in a pioneering trial to assess treecanopy coverage in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
Auckland Council’s Urban Ngahere (Forest) unit hopes using AI to more precisely interpret aerial photography will improve its understanding of tree distribution on both public and private land in the board area.
Earlier surveys have put tree coverage at 16 per cent, below the average for urban boards of 18 per cent and well shy of the ambitious city-wide target of 30 per cent.
Howell Davies, senior adviser for urban forests, told board members at a workshop last week that the Auckland-first trial would provide a picture of changes since the last survey work comparing 2013 and 2016-18.
The area’s tree-canopy coverage on private land – which was just over half of the area’s total coverage – fell by 1.15ha over that period.
Subsequent housing intensification was To page 2
