UF Researchers To Use AI To Predict How Hurricanes Spread Invasive Plants

Scientists project hurricane intensity and frequency will increase with climate change. That leads researchers to want to better predict how storms will disperse and establish nonnative plant invaders.

This new information on invasive plants will come from a University of Florida research team gathering data by using artificial intelligence (AI).

UF researchers led by Luke Flory are using a combination of on-the-ground plant research and hyperspectral sensing to evaluate the effects of hurricanes on Brazilian peppertree and Old World climbing fern. These are two of the most widespread and problematic invaders in South Florida, including such large areas as the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National parks, and hurricanes may disperse seeds and spores to new habitats.

Learn more about UF Researchers To Use AI To Predict How Hurricanes Spread Invasive Plants.