Precision Agriculture
in Forestry
Because of the large geographic areas involved
(in many cases, remote areas), forestry applications
of remote sensing and geographic information
systems predate their adoption in agriculture.
Foliage from unhealthy trees—whether
insects, diseases, drought, or air pollution—differs
in reflectance from healthy foliage. With
sufficient spatial and wavelength resolution,
it is also possible to discriminate different
tree species, in some cases.
Because trees are not the only landscape
feature distinguishable from satellite imagery
(one can see water, grassland, brush, rocks,
and so forth), detailed measurements of land
features can be used by many types of land
managers and policymakers. In addition, as
remotely sensed data are combined with digital
terrain data and ground-based inventory data,
a detailed landscape picture can be formed.
Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) uses
laser sensors to analyze forests in a 3-D
format to generate the vertical structure
of forest canopies, as well as the topography
on which they reside. With tree height and
canopy information, it is possible to readily
estimate tree diameter and biomass, among
other forest characteristics. Biomass estimates
are important for projecting carbon storage.
Because wood is a primary economic resource,
much effort has also been placed in estimating
timber volume and value and allocating parts
of each tree to its optimal wood products.
These estimates allow landowners to manage
forestlands more effectively and to reduce
waste as wood goes to the proper processing
mills.
While remote sensing plays a significant
role in precision forestry, “less remote” sensing
has gained in interest and adoption. Global
positioning systems now allow inventory crews
to locate permanent sample plots with less
difficulty. Once at a permanent plot, inventory
personnel can use: (1) digital
cameras to image trees (for later office
processing) and to capture understory species
presence and development, and (2) ultrasound
devices to determine tree soundness and disease
incidence.
During some timber harvesting operations,
harvesting equipment is able to measure and
tally tree volume as trees are cut. For thinning
operations, then, the operator would know
exactly when the proper timber volume had
been removed. With coming advances in robotics
and mechatronics (the marriage of electronics
and mechanical systems), it is likely that
many more precision activities will be performed
directly in forest stands.
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