Natural Areas Association (NAA) is an association of scientists and practitioners focused on the management of ecologically significant natural landscapes with the intent to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. Natural Areas News is your trusted resource for current events, reliable science, conservation success, emerging challenges, best practices, and achievements of those who work daily to preserve natural areas.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Hupp/USFWS, Public Domain

Over the past 200 years, the United States has lost more than half of its wetlands, largely because of commercial development and agricultural practices that drain or fill wetlands. Even worse, recent data shows that the rate of wetlands loss in the U.S. is accelerating. AI-powered model are now aiding states and countries in planning and restoration priorities

Researchers at the University of Missouri are tracking the spread of invasive Bradford pear trees with artificial intelligence (AI). Graduate student Justin Krohn started the project when he noticed the trees rapidly growing in Mark Twain National Forest. He began logging their location and training an AI model to find others.

A new study indicates that forests, prairies, and other natural areas acquire less of the vital chemical element nitrogen than previously estimated. The findings have climate implications as plants need nitrogen to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

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