Forest Research in the United Kingdom is utilizing Meta’s open source AI model, DINOv2, to monitor tree canopy cover and enhance the accuracy of their maps as part of the UK government’s Environmental Improvement Plan. This plan, aimed at increasing access to greenspaces, stipulates that every person in England should live within a 15-minute walk of a greenspace. With approximately 30% of England’s canopy located in small woodlands under 0.5 hectares, DINOv2’s high-resolution mapping allows for more precise monitoring of lone trees and small wooded areas. This advancement is crucial for meeting the UK’s targets and is part of a larger trend where governments globally are adopting open source AI for environmental monitoring to efficiently track reforestation and ecosystem health.
Forest Research uses DINOv2 to improve UK tree canopy monitoring
