Development of an integrated platform for forest productivity management

• Grant number: 21/06437-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forest Management
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Arthur Vrechi
• Grantee: Arthur Vrechi
• Company: Geplant Tecnologia Florestal Ltda
• CNAE: Atividades de apoio à produção florestal
• City: Piracicaba
• Associated research grant: 19/00712-7 - Development of an integrated platform for forest productivity management, AP.PIPE

Abstract

The forest-based industry in Brazil accounts for 1.2% of the industrial GDP and invests around R$ 1.6 billion per year in forest plantations in Brazil, having grown substantially every year. By 2023, approximately 36 billion investments are planned in new production plant. In Latin America, the growth scenario is quite similar, with new factories being built in Paraguay and Uruguay, reflecting the high demand for wood-based products in the world. Besides, the sector has a large potential for carbon capture, which contributes to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases, contributing significantly to reduce global warming and climate change. However, a there is a relevant challenge for quantifying and monitoring carbon flows, important tools in planning and account carbon credits for extensive and dispersed areas. As the sector grows, the demand for optimizing production costs increases, especially in a scenario of sector inflation. Thus, the gains and maintenance of productivity levels have been decisive in maintaining the sector's competitiveness in Brazil and in the world. However, increasingly frequent impacts related to climatic fluctuations and occurrence of pests and diseases, especially in expansion areas, increase the risk of businesses and point out the need for solutions that allow monitoring and management of extensive areas, bringing agility to decision-making, productivity predictions and also give credibility and transparency to investors and managers. Thus, this project aims to develop and supply to the forest-based market a product, called GPT - Productivity Management, which provide remote estimation, production forecasts and carbon sequestration in different scenarios, simulate and propose management practices to increase productivity relying on sustainable bases and generate indicators and information to support planning and actions at the strategic, tactical and operational levels. GPT aggregates databases, scientific, analytical tools and information technology to provide better productivity management in planted forests. The platform integrates a spatialized forest simulation model based on 3-PG (Landsberg & Waring, 1997) with a robust and comprehensive database (in time and space) including climate, edaphic, physiological, forest production and remote sensing. In addition, the platform integrates analytical, statistical and artificial intelligence solutions, risk management, operational and sustainability indicators, into a digital platform for easy access and usability. (AU)