Scientists from the University of Florida, Auburn University and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program are using artificial intelligence technology to identify damaged seagrass beds in Tampa Bay — and so far, they’ve found almost 24,000 scars. “Seagrass is a critical habitat in Tampa Bay and is considered an indicator of a healthy estuary. It stabilizes sediment, reduces shoreline erosion, sequesters carbon and provides food and habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife at important times during their lives.” Scientists are trying not only to quantify the scars but determine the extent of damage to seagrass. To do that for this research project, they used machine learning and computer software. “The research shows another way we can use machine learning to solve everyday problems,” Mr. Tuckett said. “Object detection can be thought of as computer vision, where the program is trained to identify objects much like it would be used in autonomous vehicles and video surveillance.”
