Opinion: Why AI is our best defense against invasive species

"Every Californian has experienced the impact of invasive species. Statewide, entire forests are harmed by bark beetles and other invaders. Oak borers are spreading and killing native oaks, boring into healthy trees, damaging them until they collapse. Quagga mussels and golden mussels, fingernail-sized invaders infesting California waterways, clog the water pumps and pipes responsible for distributing water to millions of people and vast stretches of farmland. Downy brome, an invasive weed, infiltrates grassland and increases wildfire risk in the Great Basin region."

"The destruction from invasive species is quickly creeping forward, but luckily, we have one critical tool in our arsenal: artificial intelligence. AI-assisted technologies are playing a crucial role in helping scientists detect and contain invasive species before they cause irreversible ecosystem damage. Not only does this benefit California's natural ecological balance upon which local industries and economies depend it helps the broader American economy."

"Invasive species cost the U.S. economy an estimated $644 billion between 1970 and 2020, disrupting ecosystems and threatening our food supply. California, with its international ports, extensive agricultural output and diverse habitats, is especially vulnerable. Despite best efforts, scientists are often left playing catch-up while invasive species spread. The core problem is delayed awareness. By the time an invasive organism is flagged by researchers, the population is often already beyond containment, requiring cross-jurisdictional coordination and substantial resources."

California's forests, grasslands, waterways, and agricultural systems face widespread damage from invasive species such as bark beetles, oak borers, quagga and golden mussels, and downy brome. These invaders kill trees, clog water infrastructure, increase wildfire risk, and threaten food supplies and economic productivity. Delayed detection often leaves populations beyond containment, requiring extensive cross-jurisdictional coordination and resources. Traditional field surveys, lab diagnostics, and regulatory identification are rigorous but slow. Artificial intelligence-assisted technologies increase the speed and precision of reviewing large, complex datasets, enabling earlier detection and more effective containment efforts that help preserve ecosystems, protect infrastructure, and reduce economic losses.

Read at www.mercurynews.com