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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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...

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Forest Canopy
Complex tree canopies help forests recover from moderate disturbances

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

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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...

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uav data on a monitor
Data-Driven Seminar Series

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

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From centuries-old, hand-drawn maps to LiDAR lasers & the role of both in forestry
From centuries-old, hand-drawn maps to LiDAR lasers & the role of both in forestry

An army of bow saws and boots march through dense thickets of forest patches in the Chicago...

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The walnut plantation at Martell Forest.
Detection & Prediction: How technology is fighting a future of tree diseases and invasive insects

The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra), prized for its rich, dark color in hardwood furniture and...

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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.

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