This document discusses the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in forestry applications. It provides background on the history of aerial imagery in forestry and describes how UAS can provide high-resolution imagery at a lower cost than traditional methods. UAS allow for more frequent image acquisition at smaller scales over smaller land areas. The document outlines specific outputs and applications of UAS in forestry, such as land use mapping, 3D modeling, and monitoring of harvesting and silviculture activities. Guidelines are provided for optimal UAS image acquisition.

1. UnmannedAerial Systems

2.  Historical Role of Photogrammetry in
Forestry
 Different components of the industry that
benefits from aerial imagery
 Even aged management (tree farms) does
not mean every stand is the same age
 Uneven aged management decisions are
based on structure and composition
 Aerial Imagery was flown at intervals (years)

3.  U.S. covers approximately 2,200 million acres
 23% can be classified as CommercialTimberlands
 11% of those timberlands are private
 Paradigm shift in ownership and strategy of
companies
 The REIT (publicly traded) tax incentives!
▪ Real Estate InvestmentTrust
 TheTIMO (diversified portfolios)
▪ Timber Management Organization
 Greater mosaic of ownership

4.  Smaller continuity in ownership
 Needs for REIT’s andTIMO’s to know ages
and stages of land tracts for future
investments
 Flying smaller tracts of land increases
expense for imagery
 Creates a great niche for UAS in forestry

5. UAV
•Less than 5 pounds
•Capable of carrying a
camera or sensor
•Powered by electric
or gas motor
•Easily deployed
•Provides local high
resolution imagery
•Qualitative and
Quantitative results

6.  SpecificOutputs
 Permanent record of forest state in time
 Land use history
 Baseline for analysis
 3D Modeling
 Triangulation of features

7.  Scale is a function of
altitude and focal
length
 Greater scale = less
detail but more area
captured in image
 We need smaller scale
greater detail
 Typical Scale in
Forestry
 1:12,000 – 1:24,000
 1000 – 1320 feet to the
inch

8. Focal Length
•RF = f / H
•RF = Scale (desired)
•F = Focal Length of
Camera
•H = HeightAGL
•Standard Focal
Lengths in Forestry:
•15 cm (6 inches)
•21 cm (8.25
inches)
•30 cm (12 inches)

10.  Time of year
 Time of day (shadows)
 Low light
 Poor Weather
 Wind
 Affect on vegetation
 Panchromatic film vs. Electromagnetic
Radiation
 IR,Thermal IR, Combination
 Digital Imagery

11.  Light Detection and Ranging
 Like SONAR but in the air
 Emits IR pulse
 Measures reflectance
 Location of the scanner must be known
 Data returned as XYZ coordinates (3D)
 Measures: Height, density, inventory,
hydrology, engineering (roads)

13.  Low Cost Application
 High Resolution Imagery
 Easy Deployment
 Increased Efficiency in Multi Aspects
 FixedWing vs. Rotor Wing

14.  Planning
 Delineation
 ID
 Tree Height
 Density
 Layout
 Right ofWay
 Harvesting
 Track Progress
 Timber Sale Administration
 Prescription Follow thru
 Monitor Crews
 Post Harvest
 QA/QC
 SMZ ‘s Regulations
 Tree Retention
 Road Decommission
 LongTerm Monitoring
 Silviculture

15.  Micro UAV class (under 5 lbs)
 Turn-key Off the shelve systems
 Customer Support
 Integration
 Known companies

18. Timeliness
•Learning Curve
•Factory
TrainingTime
•FlightTime for
given Area
•Processing

19.  SpatialAccuracy
 Minimum 30 cm but 15 cm is better (confidence 95%)
 Output Formats
 Orthophoto, DEM, DTM, Georeferenced images
 Safety
 Documentation, Pre-Flight, Sense and Avoid
 Timeframe
 ASAP!!!
 Platform
 Trimble UX5
 Sensor
 Included 16.2 mega pixel camera. LiDAR option would be nice
 Personnel
 Forester / Analyst
 Regulatory Concerns
 COA / SAC prospects

20.  300-900 feet AGL (best resolution)
 Minimum 30% side-lap and 60% end-lap (ensure accurate
3d modeling)
 Autonomous flight with preloaded waypoints for flight
plan (beginning and end of each path)
 Mid afternoon flight (high sun, low shade)
 Stable atmospheric conditions (less roll / yaw of aircraft)
 Adequate speed for platform and camera (15-20 mph)
 Ability to fly low light and inclement weather if need be
 UAS provides image processing software
 Adequate workstation (PC) for processing
 Safe environment (deployment, launch, flight, landing,
post flight sequences

22.  Strengths
 Cost vs. traditional methods
 Integration
 Outputs
 Ownership
 Development
 Weaknesses
 Regulations
 Start Up Cost
 Risk
 Logistics
 Opportunities
 Growth
 Up and ComingTechnology
 Learn From Other
 Multi Industry
 Threats
 History
 Perception
 Vulnerability
 SocialView

23.  Edge of Mainstream in U.S.
 Highly Applicable in Forestry
 Very Few Cons
 Medium For Integration
 Exceeds Current Industry Standards
 Sensor Flexibility
 Data Integrity
 Wide Range of Options