AI has a strong reputation for adding value to the health care and financial sectors. However, it has the potential to save the earth from humans and global warming. Future generations may rely on AI to monitor CO2 levels, compute our carbon footprints in real-time, and predict natural calamities. There are currently environmental and sustainability projects employing AI and big data, for example, to prevent forest fires and monitor wildlife.

Likewise, LifeLands (LiLa) is an innovative digital tool that uses satellite imagery, AI, and geographic information system (GIS)-based analytics and visualization to detect and create green-blue corridors and restore ecosystems rapidly. In addition, the LiLa tool provides ready-to-implement solutions for land degradation and the creation of carbon sinks, thereby enhancing land, food and water security. 

In the interview for INDIAai, Dr Sukanya Randhawa, a research scientist and creator of LiLa, says that it is an innovative tool that finds unused/degraded lands in a given region (area of interest). Moreover, it analyzes how suitable these lands are given their true potential and the environmental and socio-economic context and suggests the best solution, considering regional climate goals and policy priorities.

About LifeLands tool 

The researchers have developed critical data-based insights and visualization tools by putting together multiple layers of geospatial and socio-economic data addressing essential aspects of sustainable management of energy, water, and forests. 

Martin Scherfler, Co-Founder of Auroville Consulting, says that we could use their data-driven decision-making tool to inform land-use and zoning exercises at the local and state level. Additionally, LiLa could help governments develop evidence-based climate adaptation and mitigation programs, program developers in optimal site selection, and public and private landowners to regenerate and develop their lands per the evaluated potential.  

How does LiLa work? 

LiLa provides go-to maps for shortlisted sites based on given selection criteria and important data-based insights and visualizations that support decision-making using multilayered information integrating earth observation data, machine learning, and in-depth subject matter expertise. 

The tool facilitates decision-making with many layers of integrated technology for extracting essential performance indicators to optimize the selection to recommendation process. 

The tool has several integrated technology layers for extracting key performance indicators to improve the selection-to-recommendation process. By combining over 40-50 different global geospatial and socio-economic data layers, the researchers create a nature- and ecosystem-based solution that provides a 360-degree view of the environment. As a result, we can use this tool in any part of the world to promote sustainable development and reforms that help reduce the effects of climate change. 

Benefits 

According to the researchers, the LifeLands tool will help governments make programs for adapting to and reducing the effects of climate change based on data-driven facts. For example, it can undertake a high-level water demand assessment of any area of interest and identify the best surface and groundwater management locations. In addition, it can monitor land-use change over time and help in reporting increases or decreases in forest cover. Overall, it could help the governments meet their water, energy and climate targets with significantly reduced lead times and greater precision and impact.  

Sukanya says that the LifeLands tool has three main stages of how it works. The tool contains several pieces of technology that include: 

• EO data from satellites and medium spatial resolution( 10-20m) multispectral optical images to find degraded land in an area of interest (AOI). 
• Integration of multiple data layers for land potential evaluation 
• Ratings and recommendations for the most suitable lands depending on specific targets/application 

Dr Sukanya Randhawa says that the tool uses cloud computing and advanced algorithms. It is all neatly put together behind an easy-to-understand visualization to tell local governments, development agencies, and eco-businesses where to plan and implement development and environmental initiatives and, more importantly, how to balance the two so that we promote sustainable development and tackle climate change in one go. 

Conclusion 

The research team says this is a chance to use cutting-edge technology to solve a huge problem that is often overlooked or undervalued and could positively affect climate change. Government agencies don't have enough data-based insights for planning interventions. Furthermore, this tool makes planning faster and more comprehensive. As it integrates multiple sources of information, it ensures that data in silos is not a problem anymore. 

There is a need for careful restoration and repurposing of degraded lands. In their pilot, they want the LifeLands tool and geospatial analytics to digitally evaluate the ecological potential of degraded lands for planning forestation and overall land & water resource management. They are in advanced-level talks with the Tamil Nadu State Government for multiple districts.