Our UAV Mapping service incorporates UAV and terrestrial surveying technologies to supplement forest metrics with real-time aerial imagery.
UAV Mapping
Forest Surveys offers two distinct UAV Mapping packages, designed specifically to help our customers develop a data-driven Woodland Creation or Woodland Management strategy.
WHAT IS UAV MAPPING?
UAV Mapping is using a drone to capture hundreds or thousands of images of an unlimited area of land. This imagery is then “stitched” together to generate one giant, high-resolution image (or “orthomosaic”) of the area, complete with elevation data, accurate down to 2-5cm. All data is exported as GIS layers and delivered to our customers via a USB for them to import into their preferred GIS software. Each step of the process is rapid, with drone flights covering up to 40Ha/hour, and results being delivered a matter of days after completion of the flights.
UAV ORTHOMOSAICS v. SATELLITE BASEMAPS
With satellite basemaps so widely and freely available, surely UAV Mapping is a luxury, rather than an essential part of land management?
+ UAV orthomosaics have vastly improved resolution: UAV orthos are 2-5cm/px, whereas free satellite imagery is never better than 30cm/px.
+ Satellite basemaps are unreliable. With a UAV ortho, there is no risk of a cloud inadvertently obstructing the imagery of your land.
+ Up to date. Essential after forestry intervention and windblow events.
+ Elevation data. Even the likes of Google Earth can only estimate its elevation data. UAV Mapping provides unparalleled levels of accuracy.
+ Monitoring capabilities. You can monitor how the land develops over time with imagery captured monthly or annually.
All icons display UAV Orthomosaics layered directly onto most current GIS satellite basemap
OUR PACKAGES
We provide two distinct UAV Mapping packages, responding to two of the most common questions posed by woodland managers in the industry:
WOODLAND CREATION PACKAGE
The first package is directed towards land managers wishing to repurpose their open land for planting, answering the question “where on my land is most suitable for planting?” In response, we provide our customers with all of the following, via delivery of a USB flash drive.
- A high-resolution (<5cm/px) Orthomosaic of your land, in GeoTIFF format.
- A DTM ("Digital Terrain Map"). At-a-glance, colour-coordinated elevation data, clearly displaying the lay of your land. With trees and shrubbery digitally removed and the land beneath them mathematically "interpolated". Provided in GeoTIFF format.
- An easy-to-follow Quality Report PDF of the Orthomosaic and DTM.
- A polygonal GIS layer displaying the Slope Gradients across your land, colour-coordinated to distinguish between flat land and severe slopes. This differs from the DTM layer, which only displays higher and lower areas. Provided in both PDF and TIF formats, more info below.
- A polygonal GIS layer displaying the Network Of Natural Watercourses across your land. Provided in shapefile format, more info below.
- A simplified polygonal GIS layer displaying only the most Significant Natural Watercourses on your land. In shapefile format, more info below.
- A “How To” User Manual for importing the above layers into the most popular GIS systems.
SLOPE GRADIENTS
Slope gradients can heavily influence planting decisions. Using the elevation data from the DTM, we can generate a GIS layer that clearly displays the areas of your land that are more severely sloped than others.
DTM
(HILLSHADE AESTHETIC)
SLOPE GRADIENT
LAYER
GRADIENTS LAYERED OVER DTM
(60% OPACITY), WITH LEGEND
WATERCOURSE FLOWPATHS
Taking your land’s natural drainage routes into consideration when planning your Woodland Creation project can lead to more efficient irrigation and an overall healthier crop.
ALL WATERCOURSE
FLOWPATHS
SIMPLIFIED FLOWPATHS
SIMPLIFIED FLOWPATHS, LAYERED OVER
TOPOGRAPHICAL DTM AESTHETIC
WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PACKAGE
The second package we offer provides answers to the question “what is the condition and composition of my woodland?” Again, we provide all of the following via delivery of a USB:
- A high-resolution (<5cm/px) Orthomosaic of your land, in GeoTIFF format.
- A DSM (“Digital Surface Map"). At-a-glance elevation data of your land that includes trees and shrubbery, in GeoTIFF format.
- An easy-to-understand Quality Report PDF of the orthomosaic and DSM.
- A Polygonal GIS Layer precisely denoting compartment boundaries, tracks & rides, drains & major water courses, and areas of windblow, complete with legend. In shapefile format, more info below.
- “How To” User Manual for importing the above layers into the most popular GIS systems.
WOODLAND MANAGEMENT GIS LAYER
Geolocated UAV maps are combined with further interpretation and terrestrial field data to create fully interactive layers to be used with your preferred GIS platform or as a standalone resource. This allows for multiple assessments to be carried out simultaneously, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Boundary Mapping & Stratification
New Planting Stocking Assessment & SDA
Yield Assessment
Peatland & Hydrology Surveys
Tree Health & NDVI
Monitoring Storm Damage & Fire Modelling
Carbon Assessments
PRICING
We offer both of these packages to all customers in mainland UK with prices on request.
To register an enquiry, please contact us either at the email address below, or via our Contact page.
