Tech Advancements: Drones & Systems
2021-07-27
Forest monitoring is an exhaustive process, which not only requires a talented workforce, but also specialized resources and technology. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or ‘drones’ in aerial surveillance drastically improves the effectiveness and efficiency of landscape mapping & planning – both major aspects of forestry.
Forest Solutions currently utilizes a total of 5 DJI drones in the field on a regular basis. The drones are used for a variety of things, the most common being mapping, boundary evaluation, tree species identification, Operation Harvesting Plan (OHP), growing stock monitoring, forest fire, and land encroachment monitoring. These drones in particular are very useful as they provide an extensive aerial view of the designated area. Depending on the purpose, this will save a lot of time in identifying a target or area of interest in the field. Obtained images can also be “stitched” together and geo-referenced so that they can be plotted on a map. These geo-referenced images are widely utilised in the company for field reports, operational planning, and enhancing the company’s land-use data.
Images that require geo-referencing are collected and will be checked, filtered and processed in the Operational Office in Kota Marudu. Image processing is done on a high-end computer, using third-party software called WebODM. Based on the images, the software can produce a geo-referenced orthophoto, digital elevation model, 3D model and multispectral image of the target area.
In general, the individuals who use the drones most often are well-trained operators which come from the Conservation, Survey, and Plantation departments. Learning to fly drones of these types requires proper training and it is recommended that before flying a drone a person must be trained by an experienced drone pilot or certified drone pilot.
Accuracy and efficiency of mapping in forestry are greatly improved by these aerial devices, which in turn allow the industry and technology within forestry to develop at an unprecedented rate. Undoubtedly, future advancements in this region hold great potential, but even today they play a vital role in the management and maintenance of valuable forest which is so greatly valued by not only the team here at Forest Solutions but the entire community in Sabah.
