Drone and AI Mapping Sharpens Forest Soil Health Checks, u of a Study Finds

Combining drone imagery with machine learning can significantly expand the scope of forest soil health monitoring, according to new research from the University of Alberta. The study, published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management, found that using both tools to map and monitor soil fungal diversity—a key indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem—was highly effective and could reduce the need for extensive on-the-ground soil sampling across vast forest areas.