Planning the optimal forest road network using unmanned aerial vehicle (Eldivan sample)

This study, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the existing forest road network on forest roads, which undertakes the basic infrastructure in the execution of various forestry activities, is used to determine and plan the forest road locations required for the optimal forest road network, such as drones, etc. This study was conducted to demonstrate the usability of featured technologies. In this study, a practical approach is presented in the use of databases that can be processed with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to make evaluations about national forest road networks with the data obtained. Within the scope of the study, the current orthomosaic data was obtained by making flights from various heights with the drone (UAV) device of the forest assets within the borders of Çankırı Karatekin University Faculty of Forestry Eldivan Research and Application Forest (367 ha). With the advantageous analysis environment provided by better quality and sensitive data, a multi-database containing the data of the entire study area has been created. After the current state of the forest road network has been determined, the existing forest road network has been defined in the digital environment and the necessary locations to reach the optimal road network have been determined by the GIS software. By using the orthomosaic and high-resolution Digital Elevation (DEM) data produced within the scope of the study, the locations needed in accordance with the relevant communiqué of the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) were included in the planning and alternative routes were revealed for the project design studies. By using the UAV device, practical and effective data can be obtained in a short time in practice and a suitable decision-making environment can be provided for decision makers. All the data produced as a result of this study are represented in a database that can be used by scientists and other interested participants.