Automated Forest Monitoring using Drone Technology and Aerial Imagery
Forest Census
Our client
Forest Census provides cutting-edge solutions for forestry management using drone technology and aerial imagery. The primary goal is to count tree crowns automatically, measure tree spacing, and calculate population density, all crucial for maintaining forest health and sustainability.
The Challenge
Traditional forest monitoring methods are labor-intensive and prone to human error. Accurate tree counting and spacing analysis are essential for effective management but are difficult to achieve manually.
The Proposal
We proposed developing an automated system using drones and aerial image analysis to count tree crowns, measure distances between trees, and calculate population density, reducing manual labor and increasing accuracy.
The Solution
We developed an advanced aerial image analysis system using Java and HTML, integrated with drone technology for automated tree crown detection, distance measurement, and population density calculation. Fiji was employed for preprocessing and enhancing aerial images, allowing for precise feature extraction. We also used OpenCV, the world's largest computer vision library, to train custom models on these enhanced images. This combination enabled the system to accurately recognize tree patterns and efficiently analyze large datasets, ensuring reliable and accurate forest monitoring.
The Results
Automation and Precision
The system greatly reduced the time and resources needed for tree counting and spacing measurement, enhancing the accuracy of population density calculations.
Enhanced Forest Monitoring
Continuous and extensive forest monitoring became possible, allowing forestry producers to track forest health and make informed management decisions.
Sustainability and Growth
Accurate data and efficient monitoring ensure sustainable forest growth, supporting long-term environmental conservation efforts.
Technologies Used
