Forestal Malleza, drones and sensors for the control of forest repopulation

Forestal Malleza’s project

The Asturian company Forestal Malleza requested our partner CETEMAS, within the framework of AsDIH, for advice to assess the use of drones and LiDAR data for the control of reforestation works.

This service, which is already concluded and is in the justification phase, is entitled “Initial assessment for the use of drones and photogrammetric sensors in the control of forest reforestation”.

What methodology did they use?

The consultancy considered all the activities that would have to be carried out in the future to replace current field work with control techniques based on the use of drones and photogrammetric data.

CETEMAS provided advice on equipment and necessary training, as well as analysed different types of reforestation, to assess all the cases that could be encountered (slopes, orography, legal situations due to flight regulations…).

In total, around 300 hectares were selected, grouped in minimum lots of 50 hectares and, over this selected area, a drone equipped with a photogrammetric sensor was flown, so that a pilot area of 50 hectares was carried out with a thermal and multispectral camera.

During these flights, the company was advised on limitations and potentialities. In addition, the possible uses of this technology in the control techniques of this type of forestry work were described.

What technology did they use?

They used vision technologies and applied automatic algorithms, developed by CETEMAS, to control reforestation (detection of ground preparation perimeters and number of plants).

About Forestal Malleza

Forestal Malleza is a company dedicated to carrying out all types of forestry and environmental work, for both the public and private sectors. Among its activities are, among others, forestry treatments, reforestation, and fire prevention.