[CANUFNET] tree protection

[Ian Hanou via CANUFNET]

Here is my $.02 after a whole lot of time in urban forestry, GIS and
inventory software:

   - GPS is being used less and less in urban areas for data collection.
   *Reasons*: 1) with base map tiles (Google Maps, Bing Maps, etc.), the
   horizontal accuracy of the ortho photos is sub-meter (1-foot is common in
   the US). Unlike our cameras, each pixel has an x/y location, so when you
   "drop a point" (digitize a tree's location) in an online map, you're
   creating the x/y coordinate, replacing what GPS does (you use the "blinking
   blue dot" for navigation, not data collection), 2) you can use tablets and
   smartphones which are prolific and so much cheaper (and versatile/useful!)
   than $6,000 GPS units + GPS software, 3) most new tree inventory software
   are web/mobile-based and GPS is an optional way to collect the tree's
   location whereas digitizing the tree on an ortho photo is the primary
   method, and 4) these inventory software apps allow you to simply "drag"
   (move) a tree point, instantly updating the x/y coordinate, based on
   whichever base map you feel is most accurate (in horizontal / positional
   accuracy). Wait! There's #5 ... is super simple to zoom into a map and drop
   a pin in the middle of a tree using high-res base maps, unlike GPS units
   and differential correction, etc. Try it here, a free starter tool for
   basic tree inventory: https://pg-cloud.com/PlotterLITE/.
   - In heavily wooded areas or where trees are close together, digitizing
   a point location is more challenging of course, but so is GPS in heavy
   canopy. There is no perfect answer, but there are techniques like tree
   tagging with physical tags to be able to do cohort studies, etc. This is
   more expensive, so choose the approach that works for your requirements and
   the site context.
   - We're almost finished writing an article about cheaper GPS units that
   connect to web browser mapping applications via Bluetooth. There is a Bad
   Elf unit for $599 (US) that says it can produce 1-meter horizontal
   accuracy. I'd be happy to send that out when it's ready.
   - I also wrote about some of this on our blog
   <http://www.treeplotter.com/single-post/2016/10/20/Base-map-tiles-accuracy-and-imagery-shifts-between-different-sources>
   .


hope this was useful ... cheers!

On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 3:08 PM, Marie-Hélène Sauvé via CANUFNET <
canufnet at list.web.net> wrote:

> Hi there,
>
> Just to adjust something about GPS and urban forestry: there exists many
> types of devices that are accurate enough (+/-10cm precision) to make a
> very
> good distinction between two trees located nearby (and even the property -
> if it's a public tree or not). Those devices are way more expensive than
> those easy-to-use Garmin or other GPS device used traditionally in
> forestry.
> Those high-level precision GPS are used by some consultants in the Greater
> Montréal. So YES, it may be used and applied. The user has to know how to
> use it properly though; GIS skills are required!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Marie-Hélène Sauvé
>
>
>
> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] De la part de via
> CANUFNET
> Envoyé : 19 janvier 2017 13:12
> À : jd at dunster.ca; Julian Dunster; Michael Richardson; Canadian Urban
> Forest
> Network
> Objet : Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection
>
> Unfortunately GPS is not accurate enough to plot trees, especially when
> landmarks that are accurately located by a surveyor aren't close by (i.e. a
> forest or large natural area).  GPS's currently available don't have the
> resolution to separate two trees that are 2 feet apart, or may be on the
> other side of a property line with 100% accuracy.  A critical point. It's a
> help but not the solution, yet.
>
> CAD and GIS are great for plotting the data (we use both) but the locations
> need to be accurate to start with. The days of drawing-in a dot by hand on
> a
> site plan are gone.
>
> Stephen Smith
> ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Forester
> Urban Forest Associates Inc.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Julian Dunster via CANUFNET
> Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 11:56 AM
> To: Michael Richardson ; Canadian Urban Forest Network
> Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection
>
> Many of arborists in Britain regularly use GPS, GIS, and CAD routinely for
> development projects. One of them developed special CAD software for the
> purpose. The lack of its use in Canada almost certainly reflects a lack it
> being taught in curricula, as part of professional practice. We still focus
> on pruning, planting, fertilising and tree stuff, all of which is fine but
> needs expanding to the 21st century to include effective use of technology.
> Several of my colleagues in BC use CAD all the time. I use GPS and GIS.
>
> We need to expand the horizon of what arboriculture and urban forestry
> might
> / should entail. At the same time we can also inform surveyors and
> architects of we expect them to produce - such as CAD symbols for canopy
> that are scaled to reality on the ground, not simply rubber stamped on a
> plan, all at the same size (a pet peeve).
>
> On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.
>
>
> Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist,
> ASCA
> Registered Consulting Arborist # 378, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified BC
> Wildlife Danger Tree Assessor Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA
>
> North American distributor for Rinntech
> www.dunster.ca
>
> >
> > Some interesting thoughts here.
> >
> > Those little dots; most arborists I know do not have the equipment or
> > expertise to to locate trees with any precision, nor the GIS software
> > to plot them.  If an arborist is using a plan created by a surveyor
> > than surely the arborist must locate and plot not the tree, but the
> > entire trunk diameter or root collar/trunk flare with the same
> > accuracy and precision.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>


-- 
*Ian S. Hanou | **Plan-It Geo, LLC.*
Owner & Director of Business Development
ianhanou at planitgeo.com
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