Field-Map

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  5. Forestry
  6. Geodesy
  7. Geographical technology
  8. Technology systems
  9. Forest modelling
  10. Surveying
  11. Forestry and the environment
  12. Dimensional instruments
  13. Measuring instruments


File:Field-Map birdie.jpg
Example of hardware for forest management planning (rugged computer, GPS and laser rangefinder).

Field-Map is an integrated tool designed for computer aided field data collection. It's used mainly for mapping of forest ecosystems and for data collection during field examinations. This application is able to work with multi-level relational database and also provides smooth communication with external devices such as GPS, laser rangefinders and inclinometers. The Field-Map technology is currently used for national forest inventories in Ireland, Iceland, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, and Russia.


Applications

File:Transect in forest.jpg
Transect (profile diagram) is a virtual line in forest showing the profiles of trees and tree crowns.

Field-Map is used in current forest management, but also during the realization of forest inventories, forest management plans, monitoring of carbon assessment, REDD, wood traceability, the mapping of power lines corridors, etc.. Field-Map is used for example in the national parks and natural reserves, in inventories of natural heritage and the habitat mapping.

Mapping

A system of temporary reference points (detected by laser or GPS) established in the field allows users to move freely within the study area without losing the georeferencing. It allows the user to perform the mapping of trees, deadwood, transects, repeated measurements, data verification etc..

Dendrometric measurements

Field-Map allows complete dendrometric measurements such as tree height, crown projection / profile, stem profile, estimation of volume of timber (even by quality). These key measurements are used for estimation of carbon sequestered in the plants (through allometric relationships).

Inventories

Field-Map system has been originally developed for the purpose of the national forest inventories. Currently is the only software and hardware solution that is being used in numerous national forest inventories. During the forest inventory is completed the mapping of trees, dendrometric measures (height of trees, diameters etc.), descrtiption of forest stand etc.

Carbon stock assessment

REDD schemes should ensure the accurate assessment of biomass. Field-Map technology has been used in a number of projects for the estimation of volumes of carbon stocks and tracking changes. The capacity of Field-Map system to integrate information from various remote sensors with in situ measurements ensures maximum productivity of inventory projects focused on growth stocks, biomass and estimation of carbon stocks. Monitoring is most often performed on permanent plots.

Monitoring of natural reserves

Long-term monitoring of natural reserves is important for management of protected areas. Field-Map meets the requirements of the long-term ecosystem monitoring, covering establishment of permanent plots and transects, repeated measurements, data processing and 2D/3D visualization.

Surveying

Field-Map provides a complete solution for surveying of vegetation around power lines: detailed terrain profile measurement, exact mapping of vegetation, previsions and modeling of growth, maps printing for forest services contractors, etc.

Modules

Stem Analyst

File:Fmstemanalyst.jpg
Field-Map Stem Analyst

Stem Analyst calculate parameters for global stem profile model and use it for calculation of timber volume. Contains also module for calculating assortments and expressing it as financial value of the timber within specified area.

Measurement devices

Field-Map is based on efficient use of electronic or traditional measurement devices such as laser rangefinder, electronic compass, GPS or electronic caliper. Field-Map natural and easy combination of measurement devices with the data storage and computing facilities of field computer enables user to obtain maximum effect from technology.

RIC

Field-Map supports a broad range of electronic measurement devices. The main equipment, which is usually the most important in forestry mapping and measurement is a combination of a laser rangefinder, an electronic inclinometer, and an electronic compass (RIC). Field-Map fully exploits the potential of RIC to measure distances and vertical and horizontal angles for three-dimensional mapping of forest structure.

Optical scope

Field-Map fully supports optical scope for remote diameter measurement. Using optical scope mounted on laser range-finder allows measuring tree diameter in any height. Field-Map supports measurement of single diameters and also measurement of whole stem profile.

Additional supported equipment such as electronic calipers for tree diameter measurement or geodetic equipment such as angle encoder or Leica or Sokkia tachymeters might be used.

Photo gallery

  • Forest3D.jpg

    Dead wood measured by Field-Map.

  • Panasoniccfu1.jpg

    Field computer Panasonic CF-U1.

  • Cztax.jpg

    Hardware equipment used for forest management planning.

  • FMLT2.JPG

    Field work during national forest inventory of Peru.

  • Medición8.jpg

    Carbon monitoring in coffee plantation, Peru.

Videos

See also

References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2009)
  1. Analysis of forest structure for sustainability management (2005). Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  2. Decisions of the International scientifically-practical seminar «Advanced technologies of forest inventory and monitoring: current condition and perspectives». Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  3. In Transcarpathia, Ukraine, GIS Aids Statistical Forest Inventory. Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  4. SCHNEIDER, J. -- DYMÁK, M. -- REBROŠOVÁ, K. -- CHMELAŘ, J. Prostorová struktura porostu zakrslých kyselých bučin v přírodní památce Máchova dolina. In Diverzita, dynamika a management lesní vegetace. 1. vyd. Praha: 2008, s. 32.
  5. Collecting data in the field. Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  6. Informační systém na bázi trvalých zkusných ploch. Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  7. METODIKA VÝZKUMU (CELOPLOŠNÁ ŠETŘENÍ). Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  8. INFORMAČNÍ SYSTÉMY V ZEMĚDĚLSTVÍ A LESNICTVÍ - SEČ 2000. Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  9. National Forest Inventory Conference, 11 July 2007. Retrieved on 2009-13-3.
  10. R. Hédl, M. Svátek, M. Dancak, Rodzay A.W., M. Salleh A.B., Kamariah A.S. A new technique for inventory of permanent plots in tropical forests: a case study from lowland dipterocarp forest in Kuala Belalong, Brunei Darussalam, In Blumea 54, 2009, p 124–130. Retrieved on 10-30-2009.
  11. Colle G, Clementel F, Floris A, Marzullo L, Scrinzi G Strumenti evoluti di mobile GIS a supporto del monitoraggio e della pianificazione forestale Retrieved on 2010-16-09.
  12. Biomass functions applicable to European beech E. CIENCIALA, M. ČERNÝ, J. APLTAUER, Z. EXNEROVÁ, JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE, 51, 2005 (4): p. 147–154;

External links

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32x28px Ecology portal
32x28px Earth sciences portal
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