University of León and Bosques y Ríos develop a digital tool based on radar images for poplar plantation management
Within the framework of the European consortium DIGIS3, the University of León and the company Bosques y Ríos have joined forces to implement a new technological tool to identify when poplar plots have been cut. The activity, led by Sandra Buján, lecturer of the Degree in Geomatics Engineering and Topography and researcher of the DRACONES Group of the Ponferrada Campus, took place in Valencia de Don Juan.
The tool, based on the analysis of Sentinel-1 satellite images using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and free software such as R and QGIS, facilitates the identification of the cutting moment from multi-temporal satellite data. Sentinel-1, part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, has a synthetic aperture radar that can capture information on vegetation height and type in all weather conditions and throughout the year. This makes it an ideal tool for monitoring changes in poplar plantations on a regular and reliable basis.
Accurate information on when poplar plantations have been cut is essential for efficient forest management. It makes it possible to update inventories, improve the planning of new plantations and ensure the sustainability of the resource. In addition, this information helps to guarantee traceability in the timber supply chain, responding to the sustainability requirements of today’s market, as set out in the European Union’s EUDR regulation.
This activity is part of DIGIS3, a European consortium that promotes the adoption of advanced technologies in strategic sectors. Projects such as this one demonstrate the positive impact of collaboration between academia and business, uniting technological innovation and sustainability for the benefit of the environment and the local economy.
With this alliance, the University of León and Bosques y Ríos reinforce their commitment to sustainable development and the efficient management of forest resources in the province of León.