Google maps every hedgerow in England with deep learning, making hidden ecology visible
danielrock · x · 2026-10-27
Google Research published "Vectorized Farmscapes 2020": a high-resolution deep learning framework that detects fine-scale woody features — hedgerows, shelterbelts and small copses across England — that are invisible to standard satellite detection and national forest inventories. These ribbons of trees store carbon, shelter wildlife and stitch fragmented habitats together, yet fall through the cracks of official maps. Google has now vectorized every such feature across England, producing planning-ready data that supports nature restoration without compromising food security.
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