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News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: ForestSAFE
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 November 2004
Forestry Goes High-Tech
The technology allows foresters to check the condition of the trees and other plantlife on a massive scale.
Satellite technology could be used to identify tree species and monitor the health of Galloway Forest Park A group of forestry specialists are meeting in Newton Stewart to discuss the latest satellite technology available to carry out the task
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 15 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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A wide group of policy makers and key representatives gathered in Cardiff recently for a major conference: 'Forests and Climate Change - A Convenient Truth'.
The group, made up from representatives from Sweden, Forestry Commission Scotland and Durham University, are partners in the Euro-funded ForestSAFE initiative, which aims to create better and up to date information on the forest.
By using satellite technology, detailed maps of the forest can be generated by using heat signatures taken from the landscape.
The technology allows foresters to check the condition of the trees and other plantlife on a massive scale.
It may now be possible to identify problem plants such as rhododendron from space using this and other technology.
This is great news for foresters as it helps them quickly identify key areas for action, without having to spend hours on foot looking for the problem areas.
Jimmy Wilson, Forestry Commission Scotland's head of forest planning and mapping in Galloway Forest Park said: "Forest technology is taking huge steps forward.
Managing a large area such as Galloway is a major undertaking, so when technology arrives that enables us to look at the forest as a whole unit from above we must grab it with both hands.
"In the long-term the savings in time and money are significant and the benefits of being able to spot areas of potentially invasive species, or areas of good biodiversity, are also invaluable.
The time saved also helps us concentrate on delivering other forestry benefits for people and the industry.
He added: "It's brilliant having the expertise of the other partners not only from here in the UK, but also from the ForestSAFE project leaders in Sweden.
Their experience in the forest industry is world renowned and we have certainly gained a valuable insight into how they do it in other countries." The ForestSAFE group are meeting on the 8th November in Newton Stewart to discuss the latest issues surrounding satellite technology.
The final meeting and seminar of the project is planned for June 2005 in Sweden where the results of testing the technology will be widely available.
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