An estimated 20 million birch seeds have been scattered on the hillside above the A83 because of using drone expertise.
We’ve been working closley with Transport Scotland on this newest section of drone seeding, which is aimed to assist cut back the chance of landslips on the infamous Relaxation and Be Grateful. The approach, that we first trailled final 12 months, is being examined and evaluated by our companions, Forest Analysis and Auto Spray Methods.
Planting native tree species on these slopes will be certain that over time an intensive root system will develop by the soils, bettering soil construction in addition to to cut back the consequences of floor erosion on a lot of the uncovered mineral soils.
The drone is getting used alongside conventional planting strategies to seed areas which have already had landslips. These areas are unsafe for individuals to plant on because of the threat of dislodging boulders and unsafe situations. That is the place expertise might help us afforest these areas from a secure distance.
The drone operates like trendy farming expertise and follows set GPS monitoring factors. It has a seed dispenser hooked up to the underside of it and as soon as the flight plan is programmed within the drone goes to work scattering the seeds.
Ultimately, the seeds had been dispersed over 12ha in a matter of hours, a job that may have taken weeks to cowl by hand planting.
James Hand, our Woodland Creation Forester in control of the location stated,
“If just one per cent of these seeds is profitable that may imply 200,000 timber will quickly be rising on this slope, their roots slowly binding the soil and making it rather more secure. In impact we’ll be capturing carbon emissions in these rising timber and placing it to work to guard highway customers and the carriageway.
A landslip part that was seeded by the drone.
Such a expertise is a significant innovation for forestry and is one thing we hope to undertake throughout the nation as we work to adapt our forests and the broader panorama in order that they will higher stand up to the impression of a altering local weather.
“That is solely the primary part of the location to which we’ve adopted this technique. Nevertheless, we intend to reapply a variety of instances as a part of an ongoing trial with Forest Analysis. To probably undertake in different landslip areas that are close by, over the following few years. Additional trials into different capabilities for which the drone might have, such a lifting materials onto website, may also probably be trialled as effectively” added James.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/weblog/a83-drone-seeding-underway