Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 48(1): January 2022 Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 2022. 48(1):27–43 https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2022.003 URBAN FORESTRY ARBORICULTURE Scientific Journal of the International Society of Arboriculture & An Analysis of the Accuracy of Photo-Based Plant Identification Applications on Fifty-Five Tree Species By Ryan J. Schmidt, Brianna M. Casario, AS, Pamela C. Zipse, BS, and Jason C. Grabosky, PhD Abstract. Background: With the creation of photo-based plant identification applications (apps), the ability to attain basic identifications of plants in the field is seemingly available to anyone who has access to a smartphone. The use of such apps as an educational tool for students and as a major identification resource for some community science projects calls into question the accuracy of the identifications they provide. We created a study based on the context of local tree species in order to offer an informed response to students asking for guidance when choos- ing a tool for their support in classes. Methods: This study tested 6 mobile plant identification apps on a set of 440 photographs representing the leaves and bark of 55 tree species common to the state of New Jersey (USA). Results: Of the 6 apps tested, PictureThis was the most accurate, followed by iNaturalist, with PlantSnap failing to offer consistently accurate identifications. Overall, these apps are much more accurate in identifying leaf photos as compared to bark photos, and while these apps offer accurate identifications to the genus level, there seems to be lit- tle accuracy in successfully identifying photos to the species level. Conclusions: While these apps cannot replace traditional field identification, they can be used with high confidence as a tool to assist inexperienced or unsure arborists, foresters, or ecologists by helping to refine the pool of possible species for further identification. Keywords. Botany; Dendrology; Image Recognition; Natural Resource Management; Tree Identification. 27 INTRODUCTION With the creation of photo-based plant identification applications (apps), the ability to attain basic identifi- cations of plants in the field is no longer limited to trained botanists or studied naturalists and is seem- ingly available to anyone who has access to a smart- phone. This presents an incredible opportunity to engage young and emerging natural scientists, partic- ularly in community science projects, where users can upload a picture of an unknown plant and receive a suggested identification from one of these mobile apps (Joly et al. 2014; Barré et al. 2017; Bilyk et al. 2020). While the accuracy of such cellular phone apps is not inherently imperative for casual botanical observations, the use of such apps as the sole or, at least, major identification resource for community science projects calls into question the accuracy of the identifications provided by these apps (Bonney et al. 2009). We initiated a study to explore and evaluate a series of apps as tools for educational training, as supportive resources for early professionals in botanic fields, and as useful resources in volunteer training or resident engagement (Crall et al. 2011; Barré et al. 2017; Bilyk et al. 2020; Echeverria et al. 2021; Perdi- gones et al. 2021). We sought to provide some con- text with our local urban and rural tree species to offer an informed response to students asking for guidance when choosing a tool for their support in classes. In urban tree inventories, the proper identification of trees is crucial in terms of understanding the impli- cations, benefits, and risks associated with the urban forest from a management perspective. Similarly, understanding the species composition within an area can lend insight into the ecological effects of trees on the community as a whole. These discussions on tree community structure, diversity, and resilience within an urban forest or landscape rely upon identifying the species in place. While accurate identification of trees is fundamen- tal to community assessment, the precision to which ©2022 International Society of Arboriculture
January 2022
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