Kastamonu University Faculty of Forestry has signed another project that will lead the digital transformation in the field of forestry. The project titled “Determination of Some Tree and Stand Parameters in Pure Black Pine Stands Using Different UAV Based Sensors: A Case Study from Taşköprü Forest Management Directorate,” led by Prof. Dr. Fatih Sivrikaya, a faculty member in the Department of Forestry Engineering, has been awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 1001 Program.

With the project prepared to become a pioneer of digitalization in Türkiye’s forestry sector, the effectiveness of drone-based sensors in forest inventory studies will be scientifically demonstrated. The project is expected to make significant contributions in terms of efficiency, time, and cost savings in forestry.

Within the scope of the project, the use of RGB-NIR and LiDAR sensors based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in tree wealth inventories, which play a fundamental role in the preparation of forest management plans, will be evaluated. In this way, it is aimed to develop faster, more economical, and more effective data collection methods as an alternative to traditional terrestrial measurement methods.

In the project shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oytun Emre Sakıcı from Kastamonu University, Prof. Dr. Alkan Günlü and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Bulut from Çankırı Karatekin University Assist. Prof. Dr. Hasan Aksoy from Sinop University, Res.Assist. Döndü Demirel from the Faculty of Forestry, and Forest Engineer Abdulgaffar Kaya from the Southeastern Anatolia Forestry Research Institute Directorate are involved as researchers. 

"Our university is shaping the future of the forest with technology."

In his evaluation of the issue, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, emphasized that the project is not only an academic success but also a strategic development for Turkish forestry. Our Rector stated, "Integrating scientific knowledge into the field is of great importance for the sustainability of our forest resources. This project once again demonstrates how closely linked Kastamonu University's research-oriented mission is to the environment and the economy. Increasing efficiency in forestry with drone-based technologies will directly contribute to the 'stable-strong economy and competitive production' goals of the 12th Development Plan."

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, congratulated the academic team involved in the project, especially the project coordinator, Prof. Dr. Fatih Sivrikaya, and thanked them for their contribution to our University's scientific production capacity. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the members of YÖK for their support of scientific research, and to the President of TÜBİTAK, Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, for his encouraging contributions.