Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Environmental Monitoring and Management: A Comparative Benchmarking Analysis Using Public Datasets
Abstract
This study presents a structured benchmarking and comparative analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques for environmental monitoring and management. Using publicly available datasets and reproducible modeling workflows, representative AI models were trained or re-implemented and evaluated across multiple environmental domains, including air quality, water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity monitoring. The available used datasets include the Air Quality Open Dataset, AquaSat, Global Forest Watch, and iNaturalist, multiple AI models and were developed, trained, and validated to address key environmental domains. Random Forest was applied for air quality prediction, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for water pollution detection, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for deforestation monitoring, and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for wildlife species identification. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R²) metrics. Results showed that AI-based methods significantly outperformed traditional monitoring approaches, achieving up to 95.1% accuracy in water pollution detection and 92.4% accuracy in air quality prediction, with accuracy improvements ranging from 17.7% to 23% across domains. Gradient Boosting achieved a 93.2% accuracy in PM2.5 prediction (R² = 0.92), while YOLOv5 reached a 94% detection rate for illegal logging. Environmental impact assessments revealed substantial reductions after AI integration, including a 41.7% decrease in illegal logging and a 44.2% decline in water contamination incidents. Deployment analysis indicated high-cost efficiency, with Return on Investment (ROI) values up to 175% over three years and time savings between 68% and 73% across monitoring tasks. These findings confirm that AI and ML not only enhance predictive precision but also deliver tangible environmental and economic benefits, underscoring their potential as essential tools for sustainable environmental governance.
Keywords
References
- Akeem, A., & Akintola, A. (2024). AI-driven monitoring systems for bioremediation: Real-time data analysis and predictive modelling. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 24(1), 3099. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.1.3099
- Alotaibi, E., & Nassif, N. (2024). Artificial intelligence in environmental monitoring: In-depth analysis. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 1(1), 198–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-024-00198-1
- Alqahtani, O., & Kshirsagar, P. R. (2024). An IoT-based framework for prediction of environment quality using artificial intelligence. Journal of Advanced Technological Systems, 5(2), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.1109/atsip62566.2024.10639027
- Martyszunis, A., Loga, M., & Przeździecki, K. (2024). Using machine learning for the assessment of ecological status of unmonitored waters in Poland. Dental Science Reports, 12(3), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74511-4
- Patoucha, A., & Γαρείου, Ζ. (2024). The role of artificial intelligence in environmental sustainability. E3S Web of Conferences, 58(1), 1011. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202458511011
- Asif, R., Paul, A., Rahman, M. S., Bin Al Islam, S. M. A., Parson, P., & Karmakar, S. (2024). Artificial Intelligence (AI) for environmental sustainability: A concise review of technology innovations in energy, transportation, biodiversity, and water management. Journal of Technology Innovations in Energy, 3(2), 953–960. https://doi.org/10.56556/jtie.v3i2.953
- Anifowose, B., & Anifowose, F. (2024). Artificial intelligence and machine learning in environmental impact prediction for soil pollution management – Case for EIA process. Environmental Advances, 15(3), 100554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2024.100554
- Chuchu, S. K., Chinnem, R. M., Kumar, B. S., Lavanya, N. S. P., & Banerjee, D. (2024). Novel deep learning approaches to environmental management with sustainability. International Journal of Computer Science, 62(3), 932–939. https://doi.org/10.1109/ic3se62002.2024.10593298
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Environmental Engineering (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Andrew Erameh
0000-0002-6463-143X
Nigeria
Publication Date
March 26, 2026
Submission Date
May 11, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 13, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 4 Number: 1