ForestMap: The next generation of forest maps - adapting a Nordic success story

Building on the positive experiences with open forest map data in Scandinavia, it is evident that extending a similar solution globally has the potential to revolutionize forest management and business on a worldwide scale. While forest management in the Nordic countries can certainly be enhanced, the most rapid solution for climate change mitigation involves providing other nations with opportunities akin to those that have benefited the forestry sector in Sweden during the initial stages of digitalization. In the proposed project, we aim to create a novel hierarchical decision-making system for efficient forest mapping, leveraging a diverse range of remote sensing data sources with varying resolutions. This hierarchical system will be developed using state-of-the-art AI methods, complemented by results from traditional computer vision techniques such as texture analysis, saliency, and probabilistic object representation. A significant strength of the project lies in using the forest data and maps of Sweden and Finland as test beds to benchmark the methodology developed. We are confident that this project will make substantial contributions to climate change mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, and other societal values. Moreover, it aims to foster the creation of new business models by developing an innovative methodology for the next generation of forest maps. Our vision is to adapt the success story of open forest map data from the Nordic region globally, harnessing the power of advanced AI technology and integrated use of remote sensing and field data.