Institute for Digital Forestry

The Institute for Digital Forestry at Purdue University is leveraging digital technology and multidisciplinary expertise to measure, monitor and manage urban and rural forests to maximize social, economic and ecological benefits.

FEATURED PROJECTS

2 people in forest

Terrestrial Mobile LiDAR for High Resolution Forest Inventory

Researchers are developing a backpack terrestrial system and algorithms for fine-detail, automated measurements and trait characterization of forest plantations.

LEARN MORE

Gazo with tree

Wood and Bark ID

Research to develop an annotated bark image bank of hardwood trees in the Central Hardwood region, as well as an AI algorithm for bark-based species recognition and a smartphone app for bark-based tree species identification.

LEARN MORE

tree lidar scan

Tree Inventory with Aerial Remote Sensing

Researchers are advancing methods to conduct tree inventory using LiDAR and UAS images. AI-assisted automation for individual tree recognition and delineation and remote measurement of biometrics (size, biomass) in planted and natural forests.

LEARN MORE

DIGITAL FORESTRY DATABASE

Turn images into information about forests through our centralized database.

EXPLORE THE DATA

ABOUT THE Institute FOR DIGITAL FORESTRY

Led by Songlin Fei, professor and the Dean’s Remote Sensing Chair, the Institute for Digital Forestry at Purdue University is leveraging digital technology and multidisciplinary expertise to measure, monitor and manage urban and rural forests to maximize social, economic and ecological benefits.

Our multidisciplinary research team is developing digital platforms and strategies that will revolutionize forestry and build a globally competitive next generation workforce for the information age.

LEARN MORE

Artificial intelligence can now simulate tree growth and shape

Artificial intelligence can now simulate tree growth and shape

Robotic hand holding a tree
Artificial intelligence can now simulate tree growth and shape

Researchers have made a significant leap in artificial intelligence (AI) by successfully simulating the growth and form of trees. This achievement, a blend of technology and nature, marks a pivotal moment in digital modeling. The team comprised...

Read now
Purdue's bell tower stands tall behind a foreground of purple petunias
Purdue agriculture professors named AAAS Fellows

Purdue College of Agriculture professors Songlin Fei and Tesfaye Mengiste have been named fellows...

Read More
Jingjing Liang stands tall in front of a wall of monitors showing pictures of different forests.
Scientists from dozens of countries coming to Purdue for forestry collaboration in Science-i Bridging Worlds Workshop

In the spirit of building a community to manage and protect the world’s forests, Liang and...

Read More
Jinh Jung in front of computer
Purdue geomatics professor debuts open-source platform at upcoming NAPPN meeting

When someone wants to watch or share a video, they likely go to the free video sharing website...

Read More
Forest Canopy
Complex tree canopies help forests recover from moderate disturbances

Extreme events wipe out entire forests, dramatically eliminating complex ecosystems as well as...

Read More
Bedrich Benes in his office
AI learns to simulate how trees grow and shape in response to their environments

A research team from Purdue University’s Department of Computer Science and Institute for...

Read More
uav data on a monitor
Data-Driven Seminar Series

Purdue College of Agriculture presents a seminar series featuring experts in data science,...

Read More

ABOUT NEXT MOVES

In 2013, Purdue University included plant sciences among the
investment that would reinforce the university’s stature as a
world-class institution, a plan called Purdue Moves.

READ MORE