The population of hedgehogs in the rural regions of the UK has dramatically decreased by as much as 75% since the year 2000. To investigate the factors contributing to this decline, researchers at the University of Cambridge have utilized the open AI model TESSERA to map the habitats of hedgehogs. This model processes satellite imagery to generate detailed maps of the Earth's surface, where each pixel represents an area of 10m x 10m. Although hedgehogs cannot be directly observed from space, the team trained the model to identify one of their essential shelters: bramble patches. The researchers then contrasted these maps with GPS tracking data from several hedgehogs that had been fitted with tracking devices. The aim is to gain insights into the challenges these animals face in locating food, mates, and secure pathways. Professor Anil Madhavapeddy highlighted that hedgehog habitats in rural areas are increasingly being overtaken by expansive open fields and roadways, which disrupt the connectivity between the remaining habitats. The TESSERA model could play a crucial role in mapping the extent of this issue and informing conservation strategies to link or protect the remaining habitats.
Informational material. 18+.
