Goal
Environmental protection
Project start
January 2022
Status
In implementation
Project launch
April 2026
Tree care employees have a good overview of Bamberg’s tree population. They know exactly where trees need their attention, where drought stress, bark beetles or mistletoe infestation are a problem. In this way, the necessary measures are taken in good time to ensure that Bamberg has healthy, sustainable green spaces and forests despite the climatic changes. The people of Bamberg are aware of the importance of the forests and are sensitized to their care.
The artificial intelligence used for BaKIM was developed together with the University of Bamberg. The AI learns by training with regularly recorded drone footage. It is based on deep neural networks (DNN).
Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-resolution drone images are being used to make the maintenance and monitoring of Bamberg’s tree population more efficient. First, drones capture aerial images of forest and park areas. Foresters then mark individual trees on these images and record characteristics such as tree species and vitality. This labeled data serves as a training basis for an AI, i.e. the AI learns how aerial images are to be interpreted. The AI can then also analyze newly captured aerial images and provide information on tree species and the condition of the trees depicted. This means that arborists and foresters know at a glance where trees are in poor condition and can take targeted and efficient measures to protect them. Bamberg works together with the municipality of Lemgo and uses the data collected there to train the AI. In future, people from Bamberg will also be able to access the tree data and find out about the current status of Bamberg’s tree population.
„Tree health is deteriorating, not only in Bamberg’s urban forests, and it is becoming clear that the larger the area of forest, the more unmanageable the situation becomes and the more time-consuming the work of foresters and arborists. The BaKIM project makes an important contribution to making this work easier and more efficient. “
Michael Weber
Main tree inspector at Bamberg Service
The idea is born in 2021 in the forestry administration and tree care of the city of Bamberg.
The idea is born in 2021 in the forestry administration and tree care of the city of Bamberg.
The project starts in 2022 as part of the “Kommunal?Digital!” funding program of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs.
The project starts in 2022 as part of the “Kommunal?Digital!” funding program of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs.
The AI is being developed at the Chair of Cognitive Systems until mid-2024. A web app for practical use is being implemented from summer 2025.
The AI is being developed at the Chair of Cognitive Systems until mid-2024. A web app for practical use is being implemented from summer 2025.
The AI is constantly being developed and trained with new data. The web app is being tested from April 2026.
The AI is constantly being developed and trained with new data. The web app is being tested from April 2026.
Arborists and foresters are able to monitor the health of trees via the web app from mid-2026
Arborists and foresters are able to monitor the health of trees via the web app from mid-2026
Supported by:
Conducted by the Bamberg Economic Department
Department for Economy and Digitalization
Contrast