Potential of multispectral imaging technology for assessment coniferous forests bitten by a bark beetle in Central Bulgaria

• Main Authors: Stoyanova Marina, Kandilarov Alexander, Koutev Vesselin, Nitcheva Olga, Dobreva Polya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2018-01-01
• Series: MATEC Web of Conferences
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201814501005

Much of the coniferous forest in Bulgaria is struck by Ips typographus, Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus beetles. The multispectral camera test near the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria in August 2017, showed the good capabilities of remote-piloted aircraft for observation and mapping of large areas in highly intersected areas. The collected data from the multispectral camera allowed producing maps with different indices of the observed vegetation. Beetles damaged stains were identified and outlining the areas of intervention and their sizing is possible by forestry specialists. The NDVI index in the range of 0.7 to 0.95 characterizes green tree vegetation. Affected forest subjected to stress has lower NDVI index values - 0.65.The NDVI index of damaged areas range from 0.45-0.5. Identifying affected forest areas is the first important step to solve the problem. Taking pictures of drones and multispectral camera can be of great help, and the test conducted clearly demonstrates it. Preventive actions can happen much earlier before trees are completely destroyed and the problem is clearly visible with the naked eye. In view of the rapid spread and the complete destruction of some conifers, immediate action is needed to cut out and remove the diseased and infected trees in order to break the development cycle and prevent subsequent contamination of adjacent plots