Precision forestry: concepts, tools and perspectives in Italy

Abstract

Precision forestry: concepts, tools and perspectives in Italy. Recent advancements in informatics and\rcommunication technologies have led to an increasing employment of analytical and communication tools in\rforestry, including data from satellite, airborne, unmanned aerial vehichles, global positioning systems, and\rmany sensors, devices and other geospatial tools. Precision forestry enables highly repeatable measurements,\ractions and processes to manage and harvest forest stands, simultaneously allowing information linkages\rbetween production and wood supply chain, involving resource managers and environmental community;\rall these factors are contributing to the wider goal of sustainable forest management. In this report, we review\rthe most recent advances in the precision forestry applications and tools, with particular reference on\radvanced forest inventory, decision support systems, precision forest harvesting, and wood traceability. We\rdiscuss the opportunities and challenges towards implementing precision forest practices in forest management\rand planning and forest industry in Italy.\r