Methodology for monitoring forest restoration projects with DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral Drone in the Paraíba do Sul River Basin- SP

• Grant number: 23/05231-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Nature Conservation
• Principal Investigator: Nathan David Vogt
• Grantee: Thais Cristina Colacio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/10105-5 - Integrating local and scientific knowledge to inform restoration of landscapes in the Paraíba Valley that produce local goods, conserve habitat and regulate water resources, AP.BTA.JP

Abstract

Deforestation and forest degradation and the impacts caused are an international problem. In response, the UN launched a global forest restoration initiative called the "Decade of Restoration." With the degradation of the Atlantic Forest in the Vale do Paraíba region during several economic cycles, restoration procedures were necessary.Loss of forest cover is a crucial factor that reduces the ability of landscapes to facilitate infiltration / reduce runoff, buffer flooding during heavy rains, and recharge groundwater to improve supplies during droughts. Several land use and occupation plans have identified forest restoration as a critical action in the Paraíba River basin to enhance the quality of water and supply regulation.In this scientific initiation project, methodologies will be developed to compare restoration areas based on the SMA32 protocol using a multispectral drone. The drone will capture data such as tree health indices, as well as individual density and soil cover with native vegetation in percentage, which data will be compiled and analyzed to create comparative progress of different restoration techniques.