OFF Drones

Redefining Forest Management with the Matrice 350 RTK

The DJI Matrice 350 RTK drone, equipped with LiDAR and advanced mapping tools, enables forestry teams in Norway to efficiently create detailed 2D and 3D maps of forests-even penetrating dense canopies for accurate terrain and tree measurements. This technology streamlines forest management by identifying tree health, damage, and fire risks, while AI-powered software automates analysis and planning. Drones have replaced costly, less safe methods like helicopters, making forestry work faster, more precise, and more cost-effective.

How drones can assist in:

Forestry

Forestry Management

DJI drones enable forestry teams to efficiently map and assess large areas, helping identify optimal sites for replanting and monitor the progress of new growth. Their aerial perspective and advanced sensors streamline the planning and execution of reforestation projects.

High-Resolution Aerial Mapping: DJI drones, such as the Mavic 3 Multispectral and Matrice 350 RTK with mapping payloads, capture detailed multispectral and RGB imagery to assess current forest cover, identify gaps, and plan optimal sites for replanting.

Efficient Land Assessment: Rapid surveying of large and remote areas enables precise measurement of deforested zones, streamlining the planning and logistics of reforestation projects.

Seed Dispersal Support: Drones can be used for aerial seeding in hard-to-reach or hazardous terrain, improving coverage and reducing manual labor.

Monitoring Regrowth: Regular drone flights provide time-series data to track the progress of new plantings and adapt strategies based on real growth patterns.

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Reforestation Planning

DJI drones deliver comprehensive data for sustainable forest management, from tree inventory to infrastructure monitoring. Their ability to capture detailed 3D models and imagery supports informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.

Inventory and Biomass Estimation: Lidar-equipped drones (e.g., Matrice 350 RTK with Zenmuse L2 payload) generate 3D models for accurate tree counting, height measurement, and biomass calculation, supporting sustainable harvest planning.

Infrastructure and Boundary Monitoring: Drones survey roads, firebreaks, and property boundaries, ensuring infrastructure integrity and compliance with management plans.

Wildfire Risk Assessment: Aerial thermal and visual inspections help identify fuel loads, monitor firebreaks, and assess post-fire damage, supporting proactive management and recovery.

Documentation and Reporting: Automated flight missions and cloud-based data management streamline regulatory reporting, stakeholder communication, and long-term record-keeping.

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Disease, Pest, and Drought Detection

With advanced imaging capabilities, DJI drones provide early detection of forest health issues, allowing for swift and targeted intervention. Multispectral and thermal sensors reveal signs of disease, pest infestation, and drought stress before they escalate.

Early Detection with Multispectral Sensors: Drones equipped with multispectral cameras (like the Mavic 3 Multispectral) can detect subtle changes in vegetation health, revealing early signs of disease, pest infestation, or drought stress before they are visible to the naked eye.

Thermal Imaging for Stress Analysis: Payloads such as the Zenmuse H30T on the Matrice 350 series drones identify water stress and pest activity by detecting temperature anomalies in the canopy.

Targeted Intervention: High-resolution data enables forestry teams to pinpoint affected areas, allowing for precise and efficient application of treatments (e.g., pesticides or irrigation).

Reduced Field Exposure: Drone-based detection minimizes the need for ground crews to enter potentially hazardous or inaccessible areas, improving safety and operational efficiency.

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Key Features

Dual-Sensor Synergy

Zenmuse L2 LiDAR:
- 240,000 pts/s effective point cloud rate with 5 returns for detailed subcanopy terrain mapping.
- 4 cm vertical accuracy and 5 cm horizontal accuracy under optimal conditions, critical for Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).
- 450 m detection range (50% reflectivity) and 4×12 cm spot size for dense vegetation penetration.
Zenmuse H30T:
- 40 MP RGB wide camera and 48 MP zoom camera for high-resolution orthomosaics and 3D photogrammetry.
- 640×512 px thermal sensor (-20°C to 1600°C range) to identify heat anomalies from wildfires or diseased trees.
- 3 km laser rangefinder for precise distance measurements in complex terrain.

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Enhanced Data Accuracy

RTK + TimeSync 2.0: Synchronizes LiDAR, thermal, and RGB data with centimeter-level geotagging.
Terrain-following mode: Maintains consistent altitude (±0.5 m) over slopes up to 45°, ensuring uniform point cloud density.

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Scalable Workflow

Mission Planning:
- Use DJI Pilot 2 to design automated flight paths covering 2.5 km² per flight with dual-sensor activation.
Data Fusion:
- Process LiDAR point clouds in DJI Terra for DEM/DSM generation and tree segmentation.
- Overlay thermal data from the H30T in Pix4D or ArcGIS to map heat signatures or moisture stress.
Analysis:
- Calculate biomass, stem volume, and canopy density using LiDAR360’s forestry module.
- Export classified point clouds to carbon offset platforms like PlanetWatchers for sequestration audits.

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Forestry Applications

Precision Inventory Management

Map individual tree locations, heights, and diameters (DBH) with <10 cm error margins.
Detect invasive species or pest infestations via thermal anomalies in NIR bands.

Fire Risk Mitigation

Identify dry underbrush or deadwood accumulation using H30T’s thermal gradients.
Generate fuel load maps from LiDAR-derived canopy density metrics.

Biodiversity Conservation

Layer H30T’s RGB imagery with L2’s CHM data to assess habitat connectivity for endangered species.
Monitor reforestation progress via multispectral NDVI comparisons (H30T’s NIR sensor).

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Case Study: Alberta Boreal Forest

A 2024 survey in Jasper National Park used the M350 RTK + L2 + H30T combo to:

Map 1,200 hectares of mixed conifer forest with 92% tree detection accuracy.
Identify a 5-hectare pine beetle outbreak via thermal hotspots 10 days before visible symptoms.
Reduce field validation time by 65% through automated stem count reports in LiDAR360.

This system bridges the gap between entry-level LiDAR and premium solutions, offering scalable accuracy for sustainable forestry operations. While the H30T adds 15-20% payload weight, its thermal-RGB fusion compensates by enabling 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to emerging threats.

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Forest Health Assessment

DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral

The DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral (M3M) leverages advanced multispectral imaging and high-precision mapping to revolutionize forestry management, offering actionable insights into vegetation health, biodiversity, and resource sustainability. Designed for portability and efficiency, it combines a 20 MP RGB camera with four 5 MP multispectral sensors (Green, Red, Red Edge, Near-Infrared) to deliver detailed spectral analysis for forest ecosystems.

Product Links

DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral

Product Links

DJI Matrice 350 RTK Thermal Payload: Zenmuse H30T

Accurate Forest Inventory

Matrice 350 RTK + Zenmuse L2 (LiDAR) + Zenmuse H30T

The DJI Matrice 350 RTK, integrated with the Zenmuse L2 LiDAR and Zenmuse H30T multi-sensor payload, delivers unparalleled precision for forest inventory management by fusing 3D structural data, thermal insights, and high-resolution visual analytics. This dual-sensor configuration enables comprehensive terrain modeling, subcanopy mapping, and real-time health monitoring of forest ecosystems.

Product Links

DJI Matrice 350 RTK LiDAR Payload: Zenmuse L2 Thermal Payload: Zenmuse H30T DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral

P1 Payload pictured here

Key Features

Dual-Sensor Synergy

Zenmuse L2 LiDAR:
- 240,000 pts/s effective point cloud rate with 5 returns for detailed subcanopy terrain mapping.
- 4 cm vertical accuracy and 5 cm horizontal accuracy under optimal conditions, critical for Digital Elevation Models (DEMs).
- 450 m detection range (50% reflectivity) and 4×12 cm spot size for dense vegetation penetration.
Zenmuse H30T:
- 40 MP RGB wide camera and 48 MP zoom camera for high-resolution orthomosaics and 3D photogrammetry.
- 640×512 px thermal sensor (-20°C to 1600°C range) to identify heat anomalies from wildfires or diseased trees.
- 3 km laser rangefinder for precise distance measurements in complex terrain.

‍

Enhanced Data Accuracy

RTK + TimeSync 2.0: Synchronizes LiDAR, thermal, and RGB data with centimeter-level geotagging.
Terrain-following mode: Maintains consistent altitude (±0.5 m) over slopes up to 45°, ensuring uniform point cloud density.

‍

Scalable Workflow

Mission Planning:
- Use DJI Pilot 2 to design automated flight paths covering 2.5 km² per flight with dual-sensor activation.
Data Fusion:
- Process LiDAR point clouds in DJI Terra for DEM/DSM generation and tree segmentation.
- Overlay thermal data from the H30T in Pix4D or ArcGIS to map heat signatures or moisture stress.
Analysis:
- Calculate biomass, stem volume, and canopy density using LiDAR360’s forestry module.
- Export classified point clouds to carbon offset platforms like PlanetWatchers for sequestration audits.

‍

Forestry Applications

Precision Inventory Management

Map individual tree locations, heights, and diameters (DBH) with <10 cm error margins.
Detect invasive species or pest infestations via thermal anomalies in NIR bands.

Fire Risk Mitigation

Identify dry underbrush or deadwood accumulation using H30T’s thermal gradients.
Generate fuel load maps from LiDAR-derived canopy density metrics.

Biodiversity Conservation

Layer H30T’s RGB imagery with L2’s CHM data to assess habitat connectivity for endangered species.
Monitor reforestation progress via multispectral NDVI comparisons (H30T’s NIR sensor).

‍

Case Study: Alberta Boreal Forest

A 2024 survey in Jasper National Park used the M350 RTK + L2 + H30T combo to:

Map 1,200 hectares of mixed conifer forest with 92% tree detection accuracy.
Identify a 5-hectare pine beetle outbreak via thermal hotspots 10 days before visible symptoms.
Reduce field validation time by 65% through automated stem count reports in LiDAR360.

This system bridges the gap between entry-level LiDAR and premium solutions, offering scalable accuracy for sustainable forestry operations. While the H30T adds 15-20% payload weight, its thermal-RGB fusion compensates by enabling 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to emerging threats.

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Hight Precision D-RTK 3 Multifunction Station

The D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station can serve as a base station to provide centimeter-level positioning for multiple drones simultaneously or extend the operational range of drones in relay station mode. Additionally, the new Rover Station Mode, combined with the DJI Enterprise app and DJI Terra, provides a comprehensive solution for high-precision aerial surveying applications, ensuring a secure and accurate operation.

View RTK Equipment

Hight Precision D-RTK 2 GNSS Mobile Station

The D-RTK 2 is a rugged, portable GNSS base station that delivers centimeter-level positioning accuracy for DJI Agriculture Drones, supporting all major satellite systems and enabling multi-drone operations for precise mapping, surveying, and inspection.

View RTK Equipment