Remote sensing based National Detection Sytem for Forest Damages
In the FNEWS project, a national remote sensing-based monitoring system for forest damage is being set up. After major forest damage events, data on affected forest areas and arising damaged wood should be provided.
The system should enable an automated and nationwide uniform detection of forest damage. In addition, a monetary evaluation framework for the damage recorded is being developed. All work is carried out in close cooperation with the federal states and technology partners.
Goals
- Development of a nationwide, remote sensing-based recording system for forest damage
- Near realtime detection of affected forest areas after damage event
- Annual reports on areas of damage, amounts of damage, causes of damage.
- Validation and quality assurance of the data according to a standardized national procedure
- Monetary valuation of damages
- Visualization and provision of project results in a web application
Background
Since the beginning of 2018, significant forest damage has occurred in Germany due to storms, extreme drought, forest fire and insect pests, especially bark beetle infestation. According to a state survey by the BMEL, the amount of damaged wood in the past three years amounts to 176.8 million m³ (4.7% of the total wood supply) and a damaged area to be reforested of 284,500 ha (3% of the total forest area).
For crisis management of forest damages and the related decisions of politics, economy and the society, information on damaged forest areas and a monetary evaluation of the damages is needed with a nationwide standardized procedure.
