Key Results at a Glance
$1M+
Saved
Annually by reducing reliance on helicopter surveys
Proactive Action
Early identification of infected area, before aerial surveys
Enhanced Efficiency
Augments capabilities and increases accuracy for better planning
Alberta’s pine forests face widespread devastation and increased wildfire risks due to Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestations. Our AI-powered solution, developed in collaboration with the Government of Alberta (GoA), utilizes satellite imagery and machine learning (ML) to enable early and accurate detection, facilitating timely intervention and forest protection.
Client: The Government of Alberta
As steward of the province’s vast and economically critical pine forests, the GoA faced the escalating challenge of MPB infestations that threaten timber supply, ecosystem health, and heightened wildfire risks across the province.
Costly and Inefficient MPB Detection
Heavily reliant on helicopter surveys, traditional methods of MPB management pose a significant financial burden to the Government of Alberta (GoA). Costing approximately $2.6 million annually, these surveys are time-consuming, provide limited coverage, and often fail to deliver the timely detection crucial for effective intervention.
Given the narrow window between infestation onset and irreversible spread, Alberta’s Forest Health and Adaptation brand urgently needed a solution for rapid, accurate, and province-wide detection. The overarching goal was clear: equip Forest Health Officers with tools to improve MPB management, while reducing dependence on inefficient and expensive helicopter surveys.
Why the GoA Partnered with AltaML
The GoA needed more than just an AI solution; they needed a trusted partner to help address critical environmental challenges. Our GovLab partnership had already laid a strong foundation, with a shared commitment to applying AI for the public good. The deciding factor was AltaML’s specialized expertise in geospatial AI – our proven ability to translate satellite imagery into precise, actionable insights. Equally important was our commitment to Responsible AI (RAI) principles, ensuring the development of ethical and transparent solutions. This combination of trust, deep technical expertise, and a strong ethical framework made AltaML the clear choice for GoA.
AI-Powered Pest Control in Action
The solution developed by AltaML processes high-resolution satellite imagery (1.5m) as input and applies single-class object detection to predict and pinpoint the locations of infected pine trees accurately. The results are then mapped into a format compatible with Forest Health’s existing planning software, streamlining their workflow.
This innovative tool significantly augments the capabilities of Forest Health Officers, providing them with a proactive, accurate, and cost-effective method for early detection and management of MPB infestations, resulting in reduced reliance on expensive and time-consuming helicopter surveys.
Proactive Management & Significant Cost Savings
The implementation of AltaML’s AI-powered solution has delivered significant and transformative outcomes for Forest Health and Adaptation:
Significant Cost Savings & Efficiency Gains
By automating a critical aspect of MPB detection that was traditionally reliant on costly helicopter surveys, Forest Health saw the potential to save over $1 million annually due to a projected 50% reduction in the current $2.6 million annual cost of these surveys. This automation enables faster data processing and quicker identification of urgent maintenance needs, freeing up resources.
Improved Data Quality for Proactive Management
The AI-driven approach delivers consistent, objective data with precise GPS locations, enabling Forest Health to transition toward a more.
Enhanced Officer Capabilities
The solution augments the capabilities of Forest Health Officers, providing them with a tool that enhances their efficiency in detecting infected pine during fixed-wing flights and increases the accuracy of detection for better control planning. This enables earlier identification of infected pine locations, potentially before costly aerial surveys are required.
Ready to Transform Your Operations?
We helped the GoA significantly reduce costs and improve forest health management efficiency using AI. If your organization is facing similar operational challenges, or is interested in applying AI in areas like environmental monitoring, we’re ready to explore solutions.
Connect with us to discuss how AI can transform your operations today!