Multisensor UAV System for the Forest Monitoring

Abstract

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of various shapes, sizes and functions have been increasingly used for civilian applications in a wide range of fields. UAVs are flexible, inexpensive, with the ability to carry high resolution sensing systems. UAVs fill the gap between manned aircraft and satellite remote sensing systems. When searching for new methodologies, especially in forestry research, UAVs are a unique platform. Remote forest sensing, forest mapping, forest precise measurement, forest fire monitoring and support for intensive forest management are areas in which remote sensing is fully utilized. The advantages of remote sensing are mainly low material and operating costs, flexible space and time deployment, and high intensity data collection. In order to move remote sensing applications from the experimental phase into real deployment, it is necessary to come up with new methodologies that can be determined using UAVs.