In recent years an increasing focus has been placed on land restoration projects that seek to improve the management of riparian zones. These techniques include the selection of species, often native, to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, improve streambank stability and improve habitat diversity. The benefits of wetland and stream-side riparian plantings are increasingly recognised as an essential component of broader catchment restoration plans.
For many programmes, the monitoring and assessment process can be challenging and time-consuming with the only practical option often to just visit a small subset of areas.
Indufor has developed a system that combines satellite and LiDAR data to assists both funding and implementing groups to better monitor project progress and outcomes. LiDAR data is used to provide estimates of vegetation height and satellite imagery to establish land cover prior to project implementation and thereafter to report any vegetation change and development.
The system automatically generates alerts should an area not establish successfully, or if the tree cover quickly declines, for example, due to fire or flood. This information is provided as a series of shareable online map layers.
Indufor’s solution offers a structured approach to monitoring and reporting afforestation, conservation and restoration outcomes. The secure online data portal uses a GIS interface to hold and display and track monitoring layers and reports that can be shared between project implementers and funders.
Click on the link to see how our monitoring tools are used to improve monitoring processes .
