e.g. 20 to 60 monitoring plots
Municipal forest enterprise, Rhön and eastern Hesse
Annual survey in the same window and crown assessment in the field. Changes compared with the previous year are reported for each plot and explained in the report.
S-04 · Air and remote sensing
Forest health and vitality monitoring
We record the vitality and structure of forest stands in fixed time windows over several years. This makes changes in individual trees and whole stands comparable.
Scope
- Crown condition from repeat aerial imagery
- Vitality indices from multispectral data (via partners)
- Tree height and growth from LiDAR data (via partners)
- Checked against terrestrial reference plots
Typical applications
- Annual forest condition in an estate
- Drought damage after hot summers
- Monitoring permanent observation plots
Deliverables
- Vitality maps as GeoTIFF and PDF
- Tree list with height and vitality class
- Year-on-year comparison in the report
Methodology
How we carry out this service.
01The basis is a fixed survey schedule: each area is flown every year in the same window between July and mid-August, at a comparable sun angle and in light that is as even as possible. Multispectral and LiDAR data, which we obtain through partners, are captured on separate flights so that each sensor operates at its optimum altitude.
02From the LiDAR point cloud we segment individual trees and calculate height, crown area and growth compared with the previous year. We assign the spectral values of its crown to each tree and derive a vitality class. The class boundaries are checked against terrestrial reference trees that the field team assesses every year.
03Surveys and field visits take place with the consent of, or on behalf of, the forest owners and in coordination with district holders, hunting tenants and land managers. Access to the forest is based on the state forest laws and the Federal Nature Conservation Act. In doing so, we work closely with hunting tenants, hunters and farmers from the region.
Quality and accreditation
- Surveys flown in the same window every year
- Vitality classes checked against terrestrial reference trees
- Partner data used only with documented calibration
- Methodology and uncertainties stated in the report
Legal basis and permits
- §State forest laws, Federal Forest Act § 14 and BNatSchG § 59, right of access
- §Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the operation of unmanned aircraft
- §Consent or instruction of forest owners, coordination with district holders and hunting tenants
Operating in Germany and the EU
Example assignments
e.g. 1,000 to 5,000 ha
Private forest enterprise, Germany and Europe
Assessment of crown condition in spruce, beech and fir as a basis for planning forest conversion. Multispectral and LiDAR data are added through partners where required.
The examples show typical procedures for this service.
Frequently asked questions
How is tree vitality measured?
Healthy leaves and needles reflect a lot of near-infrared and little red light. From this ratio we calculate indices such as NDVI and check them against reference trees in the field.
When is the best time for a survey flight?
For broadleaves and conifers usually July to mid-August, in full leaf. Flying in the same window every year is important so that the values remain comparable.
Can every tree be recorded individually?
In the upper canopy, yes, using LiDAR and high-resolution imagery. Understorey and regeneration are only partly captured; terrestrial sample plots supplement the data there.
Enquire about this service
Tell us the area, location and time frame. You will receive an assessment within two working days.