SilviScan is a multifaceted technology comprised of an advanced suite of software and instruments including a cell scanner, x-ray densitometer, and x-ray diffractometer, which are used together to measure wood structure and quality that are most relevant to industry. This technology can measure the tiniest fibre dimensions within a tree and the data may then be used to map the …
Plan to plant a billion trees yet to take root
In September 2018, the federal government unveiled a plan to radically expand Australia’s timber plantations by one billion trees over a decade. Today, less than 1 per cent of that goal has been planted. “At this rate, forget hitting the 2050 target; it will take 357 years to hit a billion trees,” independent senator Rex Patrick told parliament. Despite the pledge …
Dawn joins NZ Gov’t programme to accelerate integration of remotely piloted aircraft
Dawn Aerospace has joined the New Zealand Airspace Integration Trials Programme (AITP). The news was announced yesterday by Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Hon Megan Woods. The AITP’s mission is to: Realise the full potential of New Zealand’s existing regulatory regimes Accelerate the integration of remotely piloted aircraft that enable the development of innovative technologies Support research and development …
Free US$43m high-resolution imagery now available
In September 2020, the Norwegian Government announced a contract providing public access to high-resolution satellite imagery of tropical forests. Never has the public had open access to satellite imagery with such high spatial and temporal resolution. But what does this data windfall mean for forest monitoring? How will it contribute to our goals of reducing tropical deforestation and restoring forest …
Changes to forestry provisions in the ETS
Amendments to the Climate Change Response Act 2002 in June 2020 delivered a range of improvements to the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). These reforms aim to drive a substantial increase in afforestation, reduce operational complexity and improve ease of compliance for forestry participants. Most of the new forestry provisions will come into force on 1 January 2023 and apply …
Recognition for bushfire safety contributions
It was an interest in trees, not fires that set CFA Deputy Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic on a path that led him around the world where he is today found leading the bushfire management portfolio of one of the world’s largest volunteer fire services. Along the way, his work has had an enormous impact on the way bushfire risk and …
EnviroSatTools: A collaborative satellite data workspace
The past 50 years have seen rapid changes across landscapes, with forests and wetlands alike converted for agricultural use or, conversely, re-afforested due to policy or economic drivers. While official land use maps often exist, they only provide a static, point in time snapshot that quickly becomes dated. This limits their use for agencies responsible for environmental monitoring and protection …
How much data is required for AI?
There are many situations where data is not available in the quantity desired, but you don’t need to wait for the ideal scenario to get started with AI. You can gain valuable insights from AI even when working with limited data. We know that data is the fuel for AI. But how much data do we need to create an …