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Google Earth helps scientists find lost forest, undiscovered species

An unexpected discovery on the freely available 3D map program led to a breakthrough expedition in Africa.

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Computing | by Samuel Axon | Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:12PM | 0 comments

Google Earth — an interactive 3D globe made up of satellite imagery, road maps, and other information — is a great educational tool, and a fun passtime for evenings when you're bored but curious. Its applications go far beyond that, though. The latest: a scientist stumbled on to a completely undiscovered patch of forest in Mozambique while using it, and an expedition of 28 went and found previously unidentified life there.

Dubbed Mount Mabu, the 7,000 hectare forest was found to be a habitat for at least four new species, including three butterflies. The scientists exploring the region are confident that even more new species will soon be discovered. They also believe there are other unexplored wildernesses in Africa that will be found with Google Earth.

The most amazing part of this story is that this isn't research technology only available in top universities; Google Earth is available to everyone. Give it a spin if you've always wanted to be an explorer. You never know, you might actually find something new!

This story around the web:

Trusted sources:
external link Scientists discover new forest with… [telegraph.co.uk]
external link Google Earth: Google Earth Leads Scientists… [gizmodo.com]
external link Scientists use Google Earth to discover new… [digitaljournal.com]
external link British team discovers lost Eden amid… [guardian.co.uk]

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