Enhancing the Scientific Process with Artificial Intelligence: Forest Science Applications

Abstract

Forestry, as a science, is a process for investigating nature. It consists of repeatedly cycling through a number of steps, including identifying knowledge gaps, creating knowledge to fill them, and organizing, evaluating, and delivering this knowledge. Much of this effort is directed toward creating abstract models of natural phenomena. The cognitive techniques of AI, with their emphasis on knowledge and thinking, can help scientists create, manipulate, and evaluate these models. The steps of the scientific process can be enhanced with five cognitive techniques from AI: neural networks, machine learning, advisory systems, knowledge management, and qualitative simulation. For each technique, we identify the steps of the scientific process to which it can be applied, provide background for the technique, and identify current or potential applications in forestry.

Citation

McRoberts, Ronald E.; Schmoldt, Daniel L.; Rauscher, H. Michael. 1991. Enhancing the Scientific Process with Artificial Intelligence: Forest Science Applications. AI Applications. 5(2): 5-26