Spatial Information & Technology in the Forestry Industry

Date: 25 August 2009

Spatial information and technology is an essential and integral part of the New Zealand Forestry industry which could be considered to be one of the earliest adopters. At its most basic, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have enabled precise location of boundaries between forests, where no other identifying features exists.

The technology has also enabled the location of stands, topographic features, people, trucks and machinery within those forests allowing for better communications and more efficient management. Some of the wide ranging applications are summarised below.

Figure 25: Modern GPS designed for use "under canopy"

From a central government perspective, MAF is able to identify the land area under commercial forest to chart the growth of the industry and develop wood availability forecasts.[1] In addition, clear boundaries enable legal containment of operations as well as protection of native species and improvements in biodiversity control.

Within this role, and from about 2000, MAF protects native forests and produces special licences for harvesting. An individual Rimu tree (Dacrydium cupressinum) can be worth upwards of $30,000 so it can be important to accurately map their location within a well defined boundary.[2]

Apart from the core location and cross-boundary control function, modern spatial technology and information has enabled further benefits that were previously difficult to achieve. These include the identification and mapping of key features including topography, waterways, wetlands and hazards. Areas of environmental or heritage significance are also plotted ensuring reduced environmental impact and compliance with resource and protection requirements. These requirements vary from region to region and therefore accurate logs of activity are essential to maintain records and reduce operational costs.

Knowledge of key features is essential for effective planting and harvesting plans including accurate estimations of contracted works, managing water courses and run off and also assisting with the development of efficient access routes and networks (in some larger forests these could require up to 15,000 truck trips per month).

Adding to this core location function, spatial technology and information provides a means of directly enhancing productivity by identifying and mapping factors which affect growth including water courses, soil type and climate. Add to this other variables such as rate of weed growth, species invasion and areas of high wind and fire risk and foresters are able to collect sufficient data to not only protect their forests but also accurately apply fertilizer and pesticide through targeted aerial spraying[3]. (Previously foresters relied on the knowledge of local pilots). With this information it is possible to more accurately estimate growth rates for different stands, assisting with forecasts of future yields and their value.

A fundamental forest activity is the inventory stock-take. This occurs at varying levels depending on the land area, the distance between forests and the maturity of the trees. In a 30 year cycle it is expected that an intensive stock-take is carried out about 5-6 times with the most intensive of these just before harvesting. Interim monitoring can vary with some foresters undertaking a weekly fly over of their stock. Without spatial technology enabling clear delineation of boundaries previous stocktaking required high levels of resources and was considered to be comparatively rudimentary[4].

This case study has been taken from the Spatial Information in the New Zealand Economy - Realising Productivity Gains report, August 2009.

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References

[1]    http://www.maf.govt.nz/statistics/forestry/other-forestry-releases/ownership-map/.

[2]    Interview MAF Crown Forestry.

[3]    Interview Scion.

[4]    Interview Future Forest Research.