Forest Aerial Monitoring and Management System (FAMMS)
FAMMS project aims at integrating AI algorithms with drone technology and cadastral data to create a Decision Support System (DSS) powered by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that can significantly enhance the monitoring and management of illegal logging. The FAMMS project has the following sub-project objectives:
- Conceive the FAMMS platform with the three key functionalities:
- MONITOR forest by high-tech monitoring of forest using drone technology, cadastral data and GIS.
- DETECT illegal logging applying artificial intelligence algorithms to the collected data according to applying regulation.
- ACT by providing decision-makers with actionable insights through detailed reports and visualizations.
- Validate the operability of the FAMMS platform in a pilot at the forest put at disposal by Piano Lago Legnami solve potential issues and optimise its performance.
- MARKET. Accelerate the go-to-market strategy of FAMMS DSS in Italy and Spain to later entrance in the rest of Europe.
Challenges and how they will be addressed
Illegal logging in Europe, particularly in Italy, presents significant challenges for forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable forest management. It involves the illegal harvesting of timber, violating national laws, and is a major contributor to deforestation. The environmental, economic, and social consequences of illegal logging are vast:
- Environmental Impact: It accelerates deforestation, disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to biodiversity loss. The release of carbon dioxide from destroyed forests also exacerbates climate change.
- Economic Consequences: Illegal logging leads to an estimated €5 billion in annual revenue losses due to tax evasion and reduced timber prices, affecting both national economies and legal forestry operations.
- Social Issues: It undermines the livelihoods of local communities, fosters corruption, and triggers conflicts over land and resources.
In Italy, where forests cover 35% of the national territory, illegal logging threatens the country’s biodiversity and degrades forest habitats, endangering wildlife.
FAMMS project aims to address these challenges by leveraging drone technology for real-time forest monitoring and engaging local rural communities in conservation efforts. By integrating advanced surveillance with community involvement, we can enhance the enforcement of forestry laws, promote sustainable practices, and protect Europe’s vital forest ecosystems.
To address these challenges, effective forest management is essential. It involves monitoring, enforcement, and the use of FAMMS leveraging innovative technologies (like AI-driven Decision Support Systems) to detect and prevent illegal logging activities, ensuring forests are sustainably managed and preserved for future generations.
Tech components and data
The project uses the following technological solutions:
- Image Acquisition: a) Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and multispectral imaging can capture detailed aerial data of forested areas. Drones can fly at different altitudes to obtain both panoramic and detailed images b) Multispectral Sensors: These sensors can capture data in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible, near infrared, mid infrared), allowing to distinguish between healthy and stressed vegetation.
- Image Pre-processing: a) Radiometric Correction: Adjusts images to correct for variations in illumination and improve data quality b) Ortho-rectification: Corrects geometric distortions in images to align them correctly with real geographic coordinate.
- Image Analysis: a) Machine Learning Algorithms: Uses machine learning algorithms to analyze images and identify deforestation patterns. Models such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) are particularly effective for image recognition.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Create dashboards that show collected data in real time, allowing users to monitor areas of interest and generate detailed reports.
The FAMMS DSS will be use the following data:
- Data Collection with Drones. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and multispectral imaging can capture detailed aerial data of forested areas. This data includes topographical features, vegetation health, and signs of illegal logging activities. Drones can cover large areas quickly and provide real-time data, which is crucial for timely intervention.
- Integration with Cadastral Data. Cadastral data includes detailed information about land ownership, boundaries, and land use. Under the project, this data will be integrated with drone-collected imagery allows for precise mapping of property lines and identification of unauthorized logging activities. This integration will allow FAMMS project to accurately linked any detected illegal activities to specific land parcels and owners.
Expected outcomes
The FAMMS project aims at combining drone technology, earth observation, and AI algorithms to develop a powerful decision support system (DSS) for forest management and planning, particularly in combating illegal logging. The prototype will be tested at the forest put at disposal by Piano Lago Legnami, achieving a TRL7 with a system prototype demonstrated in an operational environment.
About Poljoprivredno gazdinstvo - Jeličić
| Full name | Ordine & Sicurezza Srl |
| Country | Italy |
| Website | https://www.ordinesicurezza.com/ |
| Contact Persons | Adriano Napoli |
| Contact’s email |
Ordine & Sicurezza Srl is a SME, based in Calabria region, specializing in security and safety services, with a business unit focused on the forest-based value chain sector.
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Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.