Field-Map is an integrated tool designed for computer aided field data collection. It is used mainly for mapping of forest ecosystems and for data collection during field examinations. This application is able to work with multi-level relational database and also provides smooth communication with external devices such as GPS, laser rangefinders and inclinometers. The Field-Map technology is currently used for national forest inventories in Ireland, Iceland, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, and Russia.
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Field-Map is used in current forest management, but also during the realization of forest inventories, forest management plans, monitoring of carbon assessment, REDD, wood traceability, the mapping of power lines corridors, etc.. Field-Map is used for example in the national parks and natural reserves, in inventories of natural heritage and the habitat mapping.
A system of temporary reference points (detected by laser or GPS) established in the field allows users to move freely within the study area without losing the georeferencing. It allows the user to perform the mapping of trees, deadwood, transects, repeated measurements, data verification etc..
Field-Map allows complete dendrometric measurements such as tree height, crown projection / profile, stem profile, estimation of volume of timber (even by quality). These key measurements are used for estimation of carbon sequestered in the plants (through allometric relationships).
Field-Map system has been originally developed for the purpose of the national forest inventories. Currently is the only software and hardware solution that is being used in numerous national forest inventories. During the forest inventory is completed the mapping of trees, dendrometric measures (height of trees, diameters etc.), descrtiption of forest stand etc.
REDD schemes should ensure the accurate assessment of biomass. Field-Map technology has been used in a number of projects for the estimation of volumes of carbon stocks and tracking changes. The capacity of Field-Map system to integrate information from various remote sensors with in situ measurements ensures maximum productivity of inventory projects focused on growth stocks, biomass and estimation of carbon stocks. Monitoring is most often performed on permanent plots.
Long-term monitoring of natural reserves is important for management of protected areas. Field-Map meets the requirements of the long-term ecosystem monitoring, covering establishment of permanent plots and transects, repeated measurements, data processing and 2D/3D visualization.
Field-Map provides a complete solution for surveying of vegetation around power lines: detailed terrain profile measurement, exact mapping of vegetation, previsions and modeling of growth, maps printing for forest services contractors, etc.
Stem Analyst calculate parameters for global stem profile model and use it for calculation of timber volume. Contains also module for calculating assortments and expressing it as financial value of the timber within specified area.
Field-Map is based on efficient use of electronic or traditional measurement devices such as laser rangefinder, electronic compass, GPS or electronic caliper. Field-Map natural and easy combination of measurement devices with the data storage and computing facilities of field computer enables user to obtain maximum effect from technology.
Field-Map supports a broad range of electronic measurement devices. The main equipment, which is usually the most important in forestry mapping and measurement is a combination of a laser rangefinder, an electronic inclinometer, and an electronic compass (RIC). Field-Map fully exploits the potential of RIC to measure distances and vertical and horizontal angles for three-dimensional mapping of forest structure.
Field-Map fully supports optical scope for remote diameter measurement. Using optical scope mounted on laser range-finder allows measuring tree diameter in any height. Field-Map supports measurement of single diameters and also measurement of whole stem profile.
Additional supported equipment such as electronic calipers for tree diameter measurement or geodetic equipment such as angle encoder or Leica or Sokkia tachymeters might be used.