Invasive Species AI-autodetection tool

Ducks Unlimited Canada’s drone program is helping identify invasive species in wetlands.

About the tool

Invasive species are hiding in plain sight. With the right knowledge, they are easy to find, but they often grow in natural areas that are difficult and time-consuming to reach.

To help make this job easier, Ducks Unlimited Canada has added drones to its flock to help find these species. Using a drone, our GIS experts can take bird’s-eye view images of a wetland, that are then “stitched together” much like a quilt, to create one large map-like image of the wetland. From that image, the location of individual invasive plants can be identified to help guide us directly to the plants for removal while minimizing wetland disturbance.

DUC has further enhanced drone use by working with partners at Saiwa to develop an AI-driven program. Instead of manually scanning and flagging invasive plants on images, the AI-autodetection tool can scan the images and use pattern recognition to quickly flag invasive plants.

A pair of hands removing European water chestnuts

50% Reduction of time

Spent in the field

95% Detection accuracy

Of invasive species

1000 Acres of wetlands

Surveyed in 3 days

How we use the tool

By using drones alongside the AI-autodetection tool, DUC has developed a more comprehensive, less disruptive method to monitor our wetlands for harmful invasive species that threaten these valuable ecosystems.

This tool is currently being used to remove European Water Chestnut from bays on Wolfe Island, but we are working to expand the tool to include invasive water soldier and other invasive species of high priority.

In February 2025, at one of Canada’s largest invasive species events, led by the Invasive Species Centre, Ducks Unlimited Canada, along with our external partner, Saiwa, received the Innovation Award for outstanding work in developing this tool to monitor European water chestnut.

Learn more

We’re working to expand access to this tool and bring its benefits to more regions and partners. If you’re interested in collaborating or learning how you can get involved, contact us today.

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Phragmites Biocontrol in Ontario

Invasive Phragmites is considered the worst invasive plant in Canada due to its impact on our wetlands, waterways and natural areas.

Learn more about our efforts against invasive Phragmites