05-06-2023

The Altipiani di Arcinazzo hosted an event on May 30th, organized by the Carabinieri, partners of the European Life FOLIAGE innovation project, which focused on improving the management, monitoring, and inspection of forests by adopting innovative technologies. In attendance were the mayor of Arcinazzo Romano Luca Marocchi, several councilors, the local Carabinieri Forestry Corps, a group of students from Arcinazzo Romano’s elementary, middle, and high schools accompanied by their teachers, and residents who responded to the invitation.

A technological partner of the project, Almaviva is developing the prototype for the Forestal Environment Framework (FEF) information infrastructure, which ill assist PAs in the governance of wooded areas. Three main systems are being implemented: a regional web platform that computerizes the management of forest cutting requests; a land monitoring system developed in collaboration with researchers from CREA, which uses satellite observations to detect logging and fires; and a mobile application for conducting surveys directly in wooded areas.

A simulated forest survey was conducted on the Altipiani di Arcinazzo by the environmental monitoring teams of the Carabinieri Forestry Corps using a multispectral drone which was provided for the project’s activities. From an altitude of 150 meters above sea level, the “DJI Matrice 300” inspected a wooded area with specific sections that require monitoring due to certain events.

The three drone models presented generated great interest, especially among the younger attendees. In addition to the “DJI Matrice 300”, the strongest of the three, a “DJI Phantom” weighing just 1.3 kg was also flown. A “DJI Mavic” the smallest of the three, completes the fleet. All eyes were turned upward as the “DJI Matrice 300” drone took to the skies and traversed the survey area. With its sensors, including multispectral cameras, the drone is capable of scanning and detecting both the forest and vegetation beneath the trees in 3D, monitoring logging, fires, and pest attacks, as well as the need for hydration or treatments.

Alessandra Raffone, Sergio Sestili, and Marco Campelli attended the event on behalf of Almaviva.

To learn more, visit the project’s website