Improving Forestry Operations with Drone Data

Reforestation Efforts

Regardless of whether you’re in the non-profit (conservation) or for-profit sector, reforestation is essential within forestry to ensure sustainable business practices and healthy output. Rather than spending months walking the forest, workers can use a drone to survey the area and remain within regulation by the Forest Stewardship Council. This aerial view provides an in-depth look at the space and can be used to identify riparian gaps or erosion and perform stand counts. One nature group and DroneDeploy.org partner uses the tool to create detailed maps to aid in the reforestation effort of Minnesota’s North Shore, pinpointing thin spots and using this information to boost wildlife populations.

The Harvest Cycle

Within the forestry profession, drone data can be used for silvicultural planning, detecting plant health, or tracking progress. Tree health is pertinent to creating a good crop, and early detection is necessary to prevent the spread of disease or invasive species. DroneDeploy customer Rayonier used the software to find and remove encroaching plants and beetles, and develop a treatment for the affected areas. Additionally, aerial imagery can help detect illegal logging activity.

DroneDeploy’s Thermal Live Map and Multispectral imagery are crucial to evaluating overall tree health by measuring their stress response. This data can infer nutrient deficiencies caused by events like drought damage, allowing for a treatment plan to fix defects. From here, the results of herbicides or fertilizers can be measured and evaluated from above. At just a fraction of the cost of using an airplane, users can revisit the data, document actions, and assign next steps.