Novel AI-Driven Approach to Forest Management

According to a study published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Lithuanian scientists collaborated with Swedish experts to develop Forest 4.0, an intelligent forest data processing model that integrates blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI technologies.

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Deforestation has been a major global issue, with primary forests responsible for 16 % of total tree cover loss over the past two decades, driven by climate change and intensive human activity. This threatens natural resources, biodiversity, and the quality of life for many people.

The technology enables real-time monitoring of forest conditions, sustainable resource management, and a more transparent approach to forest governance.

Imagine buying a table and knowing exactly from which forest and tree it originated. This is exactly the outcome of the proposed forest data management model.

Rytis Maskeliūnas, Professor, Kaunas University of Technology

It was developed with researchers from Kaunas University of Technology, Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, and Linnaeus University in Sweden.

Smart Sensors Can Detect Tree Disease and Illegal Logging

This system is divided into layers, with the first layer responsible for data collection and management. It gathers data from wireless sensor networks, which consist of various IoT devices that monitor parameters such as tree sap, temperature, and soil moisture, all connected through data transfer.

“This way, nobody has to go into the forest and take measurements manually,” Maskeliūnas added.

The Forest 4.0 system features an IoT solution with sensors shaped like birdhouses, which are installed in trees.

These devices send data to a central system, where it is analyzed using AI algorithms within the data analysis layer.

Egidijus Kazanavičius, Professor, Centre of Real-Time Computer Systems, Kaunas University of Technology

The analysis results are then used in the monitoring and evaluation layer to investigate forest health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services.

Maskeliūnas stated, “This information is also essential for the next phase of the system – forest management.”

In practice, the researcher explains that by collecting data on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality from these sensors, the IoT system can assess forest health, monitor fire risks, and provide protection against diseases, pests, and unlawful activities.

Maskeliūnas also noted that a smart monitoring system can incorporate cameras already installed in the forest, in addition to sensors.

“By analyzing camera images and looking at, for example, browning needles, the IoT can detect the impact of insects on trees, identify disease through spots on leaves, and by encrypting sounds, it can indicate illegal logging,” Maskeliūnas added.

It can also be used to anticipate changes in forest ecosystems and the spread of invasive species.

The Goal – Healthy, Lush Forest Full of Animals

The system aims to transform forest management by leveraging modern technology to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of forest businesses, optimize resource use, reduce waste, and enhance decision-making.

Additionally, the Forest 4.0 model manages supply chain traceability, allowing activities to be monitored at every level, from the forest to the sawmill and even the final wood product.

Blockchain, a decentralized digital ledger technology that ensures transparency and data integrity, underpins this capability.

“The technology works without the authority and provides a transparent, secure, and unchangeable record of everything that happens to the forest and its production, reducing illegal logging and ensuring sustainable practices,” added the professor of KTU Faculty of Informatics.

Despite these benefits, researchers face significant challenges when using Forest 4.0, including the need for a substantial initial investment and an inactive approach to innovation.

“It is assumed that it is better to opt for expensive and complex solutions, while smaller and cheaper sensors are given less attention. We should be glad that a solution costing a few hundred euros is able to collect and send data by itself,” further added Prof. Maskeliūnas.

Furthermore, using decentralized blockchain technology requires a high level of trust from users; however, the successful development of financial technology (Fintech) is helping to address these concerns.

Similar methods have already gained popularity in other countries, such as Germany. This suggests that Forest 4.0 has the potential to become a global standard, with Lithuania potentially serving as an example for other countries in promoting responsible and sustainable forest management.

Maskeliūnas explains that Forest 4.0 focuses on smart forest management to ensure the future of nature.

He concluded, “It is like the fourth industrial revolution in forestry, with the goal of a non-flammable, lush forest full of animals.”

Journal Reference:

Damaševičius, R. et. al. (2024) Digital transformation of the future of forestry: an exploration of key concepts in the principles behind Forest 4.0. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1424327