The application interprets remote sensing data and observes any damage caused by the European spruce bark beetle and storms before it is visible to the human eye. The application produces digital map content predicting the severity and scope of damage caused by the spruce bark beetle.
The European spruce bark beetle is about half a centimetre long and threatens spruce forests, in particular. It has caused significant damage in Central Europe and Sweden. Bark beetle and storm damage is expected to increase in Finland as the climate becomes warmer.
When the map content depicting bark beetle damage is updated several times a summer, the damage can be detected in good time, its progress can be monitored, and measures preventing the spread of damage can be agreed with forest owners. The application also improves Metsä Group's ability to quickly identify the scope of storm damage and the areas that have suffered the most. This enables harvesting equipment to be quickly moved to where it is needed to harvest the damaged trees.
The map content indicating various types of damage to trees, such as insect damage caused by the spruce bark beetle, is updated several times during the summer.
Metsä Group's owner-members can view the map content produced by the AI application in the Metsäverkko mobile application. Read more here.
Watch the video to learn more about application: