Latest news with #SchoolofBiosciences
The Star
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Leaf it to tech: Are AI-powered apps giving plants a voice?
The idea of conversing with greenery has long captured the human imagination, from the giant talking trees popularised in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings to the whimsically poetic The Lorax from Dr Seuss. And with advances in technology, the possibility of that happening in real life might not be so far off. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. While not quite at the level of 'I speak for the trees' à la the fictional Lorax character, such apps can be quite handy in a pinch for novices who can't tell grass from unwanted weeds, with many having been installed millions of times with largely positive ratings on app stores. According to Prof Vinesh Thiruchelvam, chief innovation and enterprise officer at Asia Pacific University (APU), these apps typically use AI-based Computer Vision and Image Processing to identify plant types. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. — VINESH THIRUCHELVAM 'The AI imagery database is trained, and a Convolutional Neural Network is utilised for analysing images. It works by breaking the image into small pieces and looking for patterns. 'These patterns help it recognise things in the image, like edges or shapes of different plants,' he says, adding that apps then use this information to provide real-time basic care advice. Growing a green thumb From Dr Nallammai Singaram's perspective, such apps make it much easier for those just starting with their home garden. A senior lecturer at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at Taylor's University, she finds that 'these apps have made plant care less intimidating'. 'If I were putting a plant in my house for the first time, I wouldn't know what sort of soil to use, how to pot my plant, or how to make a potting mix. 'I might not know these things, but these apps would give you that kind of guide,' Nallammai says, adding that in the case of a rose plant, for example, an app may suggest the ideal soil mix ratio and recommend planting it about six inches below the surface. Prof Alan Dorin from the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University shares similar thoughts, noting these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. 'For interested and engaged people, this knowledge was previously accessible via traditional means – talking to friends and neighbours, the staff at the local plant nursery, or reading gardening books, magazines, watching TV or listening to gardening radio programmes. 'The immediacy of access to information related to a specific plant is what makes these apps a stand-out method for increasing engagement with gardens,' he says. Prof Dorin notes that these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. — ALAN DORIN Nallammai says this kind of guidance can boost beginners' confidence, help avoid common mistakes, and turn gardening into a more enjoyable and therapeutic experience. 'If you truly enjoy gardening, you naturally become curious and eager to learn more about your 'green babies', exploring every way to help your plants thrive. 'This curiosity, supported by apps and digital tools, can positively influence gardening habits,' she says. Back to earth However, Nallammai also stresses that while they are a good starting point, it is 'important to remember that apps alone cannot make you an expert; real learning also requires hands-on experience and personal observation'. 'For some, the apps spark long-term interest and lasting gardening habits and bring joy. For others, they are novelty tools that provide convenience at the beginning but don't replace the need to develop real gardening knowledge,' she says. Prof Vinesh agrees, saying that 'apps are a wonderful digital support tool. But at times, it does not consider local conditions like real-time weather, soil, or heat'. 'That's why they can't replace real hands-on gardening experience, especially for serious gardeners or farmers who have to deal with the volatile climate change issues or the growing new patterns of pest attacks.' Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star Apps still do have a place, from Nallammai's experience, having observed her students using these kinds of apps to quickly identify plant species and receive recommendations for improving the growth of the test plants they are working with in class. She says apps like PictureThis , PlantNet , and Seek By iNaturalist are reliable for plant identification, while Planta is helpful for watering schedules, and care reminders. Plantora , on the other hand, not only detects nutrient deficiencies and signs of plant disease but also provides possible solutions to address them. It is worth noting though that most of these apps require a paid subscription to unlock their full functionality. Meanwhile, Prof Dorin says he 'was recently working with a group of primary school children who had started using apps to identify plants in their school yard'. 'Their goal was to learn whether the plants provided good resources for native bees. Their excitement and interest were infectious, heart-warming to see. 'Likewise, I know some retirees who are using these AI tools on their daily walks in local parks and gardens to identify plants and flowers they encounter. The apps provide a virtual 'guide' that is easy to appreciate,' he says. Barking up the wrong tree However, like other AI tools, these apps aren't always entirely accurate, so it's important to be cautious when receiving suggestions. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. From Nallammai's testing, this appears to be true. She highlights that the datasets used to train these AI apps may come from different parts of the world, which means they may not be entirely relevant or accurate for local plant species and conditions. 'I tested a yellow-green philodendron with multiple apps: PictureThis identified it as a lemon lime philodendron, another app called it a giant philodendron, while in PlantIn , they already had an existing lemon lime philodendron with different features. 'Different apps have different capabilities. Some of the rarer species may not be included in their databases, so the app might not be able to detect them. That's one of the limitations,' she says. These differences may seem minor, but Nallammai says they can indicate what specific kind of care a plant needs. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. — Image by freepik 'The darker green ones can capture better sun and may need more sunlight, the lighter ones would prefer to be a little bit on the shadier side. 'The amount of water you put might differ. The thickness of the plant, leaf thickness will also change; therefore, if it is exposed to too much sun, it will get burnt, so maybe less sun. 'They're from the same species but different variations, which could be a random mutation, or from people intentionally breeding them,' she says. Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. She encourages budding gardeners to start reading up and building their knowledge while engaging with the gardening community, especially more experienced gardeners who can offer advice from their experience. Prof Dorin similarly says: 'If there's a shortcoming, it probably lies in people's over-reliance and over-confidence in the technology. 'The ability of an AI tool to make an informed recommendation will always be limited by the amount and quality of data it receives in training, and the data it is given when asked to analyse a specific situation. 'For example, it would be tricky for AI software to give reliable and specific care information regarding a plant it hasn't been exposed to before. 'But the AI may nevertheless mislead a human by confidently offering advice based on poor evidence,' he adds. Speaking for the trees While no one should expect their sunflowers to suddenly start calling them by name or demanding more water and sunlight, the way Nallammai sees it, plants are 'talking' in their own way, though, in a language that humans don't quite understand. This is the gap that projects like the Avanade Intelligent Garden in the United Kingdom aim to bridge, allowing people to learn about the individual needs of each tree through one-on-one interactions powered by smart sensors and AI technology. From smart sensors to AI apps, technology is giving green thumbs deeper insight into what their plants need to thrive. — Image by freepik According to Nallammai, similar sensors have been deployed at Taylor's Urban Farm to monitor soil electrical conductivity and pH levels (acidity and alkalinity), helping ensure that the hydroponic system delivers the right amount of water and nutrients for healthy plant growth. A hydroponic system is a method of growing plants without soil that delivers water, oxygen, and nutrients directly to the plants. She says such systems are available at significantly smaller scales for home gardening use for as low as RM50 for a system with basic monitoring capabilities via an app, and can rise to the RM500 range for more sophisticated options with more sensors and more detailed monitoring. For casual gardeners just starting out, simple apps paired with an online kit can provide basic monitoring and easy-to-follow guidance. An app that sends reminders for watering or fertilising would also be helpful for beginners in caring for their plants without overwhelming them. Meanwhile, those looking for a challenge and wanting to explore might want more comprehensive sensor and irrigation systems to cultivate rarer species or achieve greater yields and productivity. 'The moment the plant is stressed, it's telling you what it needs in its own language,' Nammallai says. 'A very simple example: when you go home today and see that your plant is wilted. You know your plant is crying out for water. 'So if I have an app that can sense the turgidity of the leaves, it can capture that information and tell you the leaves aren't turgid, meaning they're lacking moisture. That's the plant indirectly telling you it needs water,' she says. Nammallai adds that this is already happening today with the wide array of sensors that can detect compounds in the plants, growth regulators, proteins, light, and other elements. If the right sensors are in place, each one can provide a piece of the overall picture. Nallammai explains that by combining sensor data with visual observations and other morphological indicators, it becomes possible to link them together and begin forming a kind of language that translates plant signals into meaningful insights for growers. 'Using these chemicals in the plant, we can decipher what it is 'saying'. 'The plant might just turn around and tell you, 'you know what, I'm ready, I'm heading towards maturity, I'm going to bear fruits, just hang in there',' she says.
The Independent
27-03-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
South Korea fires latest: 27 killed and 1,000-year-old Buddhist temples destroyed in biggest wildfire on record
Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today, with authorities calling them the country's worst fire disaster on record. Since Friday, more than 35,810 hectares (88,488 acres) of land in the southeast has been scorched, the disaster response centre said. The fire that began in Uiseong county is now the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history, surpassing the 24,000-hectare blaze of March 2000. At least 27 people were confirmed dead, including a pilot of a firefighting helicopter which crashed yesterday. Hundreds of structures have been burnt or damaged, including historic 7th-century Buddhist temple that was reduced to ashes as the fire continued to expand. 'We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,' acting president Han Duck Soo said at a government response meeting. The Uiseong fire spread rapidly on Wednesday, reaching Yeongdeok on the east coast, 51km away, in just 12 hours. While light rain is forecast in the southwest, most affected areas are expected to receive less than 5mm, offering little relief. Climate crisis fuelling early wildfire surges in 2025, expert warns The current wildfires in South Korea and California this year are part of a growing global pattern driven by climate change, according to experts. 'Only three months into 2025, we've already witnessed record-breaking wildfire activity in multiple regions,' said Dr Kimberley Simpson, fellow at the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences. 'As climate change drives rising temperatures and alters rainfall patterns, the conditions that give rise to these devastating fires are becoming more frequent.' Dr Simpson said that both California's January fires and South Korea's ongoing blazes were preceded by unusually warm, dry weather, leaving vegetation dangerously flammable. 'Strong winds in both cases spread the flames rapidly and made firefighting far more difficult,' she said. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 11:12 Video: Deadly wildfires burn in South Korea Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 10:34 Death toll climbs to 27 Death toll from South Korea's wildfires rose to 27 today as officials confirmed three more deaths. The fatalities include a pilot whose helicopter crashed during efforts to contain a fire yesterday and four firefighters and other workers who died earlier after being trapped by fast-moving flames. Authorities haven't disclosed details of the civilian dead, except that they are mostly in their 60s or older who found it difficult to escape quickly or who even refused orders to evacuate. They suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 10:10 Wildfires threaten historic temples and UNESCO heritage sites The wildfires have carved a trail of devastation through an area equivalent to about half the area of Singapore, ravaging everything in their path including historic temples and homes in the mountainous forest regions of North Gyeongsang province. Teams of firefighters are on standby to protect the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy in the city of Andong, if a blaze jumps the stream that flows around them. The picturesque folk village has traditional Korean houses, many with thatched roofs, while the Confucian academy dates back more than 450 years. The fires have already badly damaged other historic sites, including much of Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, which was built in 681. "The buildings and remains of what Buddhist monks have left over 1,300 years are now all gone," said Deungwoon, the head of the Gounsa Temple. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 09:50 What caused the wildifires? The cause of the wildfire isn't clear yet, but it is suspected that the fires were triggered by human activity, possibly sparks from welding or people clearing dry grass near ancestral tombs, some reports said. However, officials say the rapid spread of the flames and unprecedented scale was a result of unusually hot and dry conditions. "This wildfire has once again exposed the harsh reality of a climate crisis unlike anything we've experienced before," disaster chief Lee said. "The affected areas have seen only half the average rainfall, coupled with unusually strong winds, which have drastically accelerated the spread of the fire and intensified the damage," he said. Higher temperatures amplified by human-caused climate change contributed to the existing seasonally dry conditions, "turning dry landscapes into dangerous fire fuel" in the region, the Climate Central group, an independent body made up of scientists and researchers, said in a report. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 09:30 Ancient temple destroyed in South Korea's wildfires Over 300 structures, including houses, factories and a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple have been destroyed, officials said on Wednesday. The Gounsa temple, founded in 681 during the Silla Dynasty, was destroyed in Uiseong. Heritage officials said some of the site's national treasures, including an eighth-century stone Buddha statue, were removed before the flames reached the main wooden buildings. At least 24 dead and ancient temple destroyed as South Korea hit by wildfires More than 27,000 people have been evacuated Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 09:15 Firefighters struggle to contain fire The military has released stocks of aviation fuel to help keep firefighting helicopters flying to douse flames across mountainous regions in the southeast of the country, where fires have been burning now for nearly a week. More than 120 helicopters have been deployed in three regions battling the blazes, the safety ministry said. South Korea relies on helicopters to fight forest fires because of its mountainous terrain. A helicopter pilot died yesterday after crashing while trying to tackle a blaze. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 08:49 In photos: Burnt out houses, temples and destroyed villages Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 08:30 'We are nationally in a critical situation,' says South Korea's acting president South Korea's acting president Han Duck-soo called the wildfires 'unprecedented' yesterday and said the crisis was 'rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history'. "Damages are snowballing," Mr Han said. "There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week." Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 08:05 South Korea's wildfire doubles up in size, becomes the largest on record Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today from a day earlier, as authorities called the blazes the country's worst fire disaster. More than 35,000 hectares (88,000 acres) have been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires that began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history. The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in a March 2000 fire. The wildfires that originated in Uiseong have been moving rapidly eastward, spreading almost to the coast, carried by gusty winds and with dry conditions aggravating the situation. The Uiseong fire began spreading quickly yesterday, reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok 51km (32 miles) away in just 12 hours, said Won Myung-soo, director of satellite imagery analysis for the national forestry service. Stuti Mishra27 March 2025 07:58
