Laser mapping spots ant colonies in dense forest

There are more than 10 quintillion insects on Earth, 200 million for every human. But studying them is tough: The animals are often tiny, and many live in places like soil and trees that make them hard to spot.identify a species of ant in its native acacia trees with more than 80% accuracy

“It’s super cool; it does exactly what they say,” says Nate Sanders, an ecologist at the University of Michigan who wasn’t involved with the study. “They’re using really efficient technology to sample biodiversity they otherwise wouldn’t be able to sample.” The locations of the various ant species across the landscape are important markers for ecosystem change due to fire, drought, or invasive species. To understand their distributions, however, Pierce’s team must know which ant species lives in which tree—a painful and time intensive process. There’s the risk of bites, for one. A field technician must tap on each acacia one by one, causing the ants to flood toward them in defense.

Wang is excited by the technology’s potential to track tree infestation in other parts of the globe, particularly those caused by invasive insects and diseases. Tree attackers such as the hemlock woolly ageldid and powdery mildew change the shape of their host tree, making it possible for lidar to tell the difference. Such data could help researchers and land managers devote their time to targeting these unwanted pests rather than surveying them.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

M600: Meltio reveals blue laser 3D printer crafted with wire-laser metalIntroducing the Meltio M600: the latest innovation in metal 3D printing to improve productivity and reduce costs.
Source: IntEngineering - 🏆 287. / 63 Read more »

Common misconceptions about laser hair removalContent by Milan Laser Hair Removal. Uncover the facts behind the most common myths regarding laser hair removal.
Source: dothaneagle - 🏆 337. / 59 Read more »

From Instant Grits to Polymers: Scientist Kat Knauer Is Laser Focused on Plastics PollutionClean Tech News & Views: EVs, Solar Energy, Batteries
Source: cleantechnica - 🏆 565. / 51 Read more »

NIRA Pro Laser ReviewNIRA’s hand-held lasers are clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines without a trip to the derm—and they’re 20 percent off right now.
Source: thedailybeast - 🏆 307. / 63 Read more »

Automated high-throughput sorting of living cells using laser light and AITests on living cell cultures are becoming increasingly important for personalized medicine, drug development and clinical research.
Source: physorg_com - 🏆 388. / 55 Read more »

Researchers identify new method to boost laser processing resolutionFocusing a tailored laser beam through transparent glass can create a tiny spot inside the material. Researchers at Tohoku University have reported on a way to use this small spot to improve laser material processing, boosting processing resolution.
Source: physorg_com - 🏆 388. / 55 Read more »