Image: Michael Cummins
Forestry is a significant part of the economics of many countries. However, this sector faces a range of challenges, as forests are crucial for the production and the climate and life on Earth. Precision forestry plays a significant role in solving these problems.
Moreover, technological innovations contribute to wildfire combat, which is also vital for the current situation. Precision forestry involves using various digital technologies and tools, including forest app for monitoring that can improve forest management and control. In this piece, you can learn more about precision forestry and which benefits it can give.
What is precision forestry?
Precision management is not only about agriculture. This practice is also applicable to forestry. Precision forestry involves the use of technologies that provides data for an effective decision-making process. The AI, machine learning technologies and specialized software analyze data to give the users valuable information for site-specific management. It’s crucial for improving wood quality, reducing waste, and increasing profits. Moreover, its tools and methods contribute to the fight against illegal logging and decreasing deforestation.
Precision forestry can be helpful at every stage of production, including planning, monitoring, processing, and marketing. This concept involves a deep understanding of all ecological processes in woods. Furthermore, it gives a chance to find a proper approach and solution for every separate issue depending on the site’s peculiarities. It’s quite beneficial as a single solution doesn’t always work for the entire area.
With accurate data and high-level analytics, site management becomes more effective. For example, as you have the soil type and fertility information, you can choose and plant different species on the most suitable site. Moreover, you get advanced monitoring to assess the state of seedlings, detect and care about thinning zones in the woods. Besides, precision forestry enables specialists to check forests’ health and detect stress connected with pests, diseases, and weather conditions.
Precision forestry promising practices
Precision forestry technologies and practices are developing quickly. Some of them are more versatile and widely spread in different regions. Other is the most suitable for specific conditions and goals, including genetic improvement in plantations. Most current practices are based on innovative technologies and potentially have a wide range of applications in forestry.
Technology has made it possible to create automated nurseries. They create a particular environment for growing seedlings. This way, the conditions for young trees are entirely controlled so that they grow up healthy. Another critical practice today is monitoring forest fires. It is carried out using digital technology, drones, and satellites. UAV and specialized software make it possible to receive warnings about potential fires and think carefully about necessary actions. These technologies also help to take timely measures for fire combat and coordinate the efforts of firefighters.
Water resources management systems also play an essential role in forest management. These systems include the management of water infrastructure, based on data on soil conditions, weather conditions, the water level in the channels, and other information. This practice helps to reduce the risk of flood damage, maintain an optimal amount of water in the canals, and prevent soil erosion and conserve resources.
Digital technology is also used for inventory and harvesting. Thanks to automated harvesting, you can increase the efficiency of the operation and make it safer. In addition, technology makes it possible to control the process entirely.
Advantages of precision forestry
Despite the increasing demand for wood, it is necessary to understand that forests require protection and respect. The quality of life of all humanity largely depends on their quantities and state. Precision forestry can make a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of wood use while reducing costs.
From an economic point of view, precision forestry offers several benefits, including overall savings of up to 47%. In addition, the use of precise forestry practices makes it possible to reduce herbicides and various chemicals application through variable-rate inputs. Forest assessment has become more accurate and accessible as it uses digital analysis and satellite images.
Monitoring forest areas and preventing potential natural disasters, including forest fires, are also significant advantages. Moreover, precision forestry can help reduce illegal logging and decrease the cost of forest mapping. It also gives a chance to reduce the cost of forest management and increase production.
Final thoughts
Precision forestry is a concept that can transform the sector and replace some traditional practices. It involves using innovative technologies that contribute to forestry management improvement and help to solve a range of serious issues. Precision practices are beneficial both for forests conservation and wood production. It is a reliable tool that can help reduce the impact of human activities on the environment and increase production with fewer resources.
