Drones take flight in climate battle, aerial arsenal maps forests carbon secrets

Chiang Mai’s hillside becomes a battleground against climate change as drones soar above, decoding the carbon-absorbing mysteries of the lush woodland.

In an innovative effort to measure and preserve the crucial role of forests in combatting climate change, researchers at Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU) deploy drones to gather essential data without disturbing the delicate ecosystem.

As deforestation continues to plague global tree cover, plummeting by 12 percent since 2000 according to Global Forest Watch, understanding the intricate dynamics of forests becomes imperative in the fight against rising carbon dioxide levels.

Traditional methods involving labor-intensive ground surveys are being revolutionized by the Phantom drone, capturing 3D models that offer a non-invasive yet comprehensive view of the forest landscape.

Stephen Elliott, the research director at FORRU, highlights the importance of this technology, explaining how it replaces invasive methods that could harm the forest’s understory.

The drone’s ability to measure every tree’s height, girth, and wood density provides unprecedented insights into the forest’s carbon-absorbing potential.

The success story unfolds in a reforested area of approximately 100 hectares, where the drone’s 3D model showcases the thriving ecosystem developed by planting key native species.

Beyond trees, the study encompasses leaf litter and soil analysis, revealing that reforested plots rival undamaged woodlands in carbon storage.

However, the drone’s limitation in penetrating below the canopy prompts researchers like Emmanuel Paradis from France’s National Research Institute for Sustainable Development to employ LiDAR technology.

This high-resolution, remote-sensing equipment, mounted on drones, allows scientists to delve into the intricate details of forest composition, size, and shape.

Emmanuel Paradis is leading a groundbreaking project to provide the most accurate analysis of Thailand’s forest carbon storage.

By surveying five different forest types, including FORRU’s plots, and incorporating advanced soil analysis, the goal is to estimate the country’s overall carbon storage capacity per hectare.

With debates surrounding the accuracy of current forest carbon capacity estimates, driven by concerns of over-optimism, the urgency of the matter propels advancements.

The upcoming launch of the European Space Agency’s Biomass satellite promises to revolutionize monitoring capabilities, enhancing precision in mapping forest carbon stocks.

In the words of Emmanuel Paradis, “The technology is evolving, the satellites are more and more precise, and the statistical technologies are more and more precise.”

The skies above Chiang Mai exemplify a burgeoning frontier where technology aids in understanding and preserving the invaluable role of forests in the global climate crisis.