Seed-shooting drones could aid in reforestation
Deforestation is a major environmental issue and a top carbon emitter responsible for the destruction of biodiversity and habitats, and the replanting of trees may be essential for a sustainable future. But drones could offer a solution.
Developed by Singaporean developer Avirtech, a new range of seed-shooting drones could save time, effort and money in reforestation efforts. Seed-planting at scale is often complex and risky for a workforce, requiring hours of on-site measurements to ensure success.
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Drone technology is a key part of Industry 4.0, and drones, as well as other types of robots, have seen deployment across a number of sectors to minimise the need for human delivery. They are also able to travel relatively long distances over land and can reduce congestion on the roads.
Drones have seen use in the healthcare sector, by delivery services, they could be used to monitor and protect habitats and aid farmers and could play a role in servicing energy projects, particularly offshore wind farms. The possibilities the technology can offer are nearly endless.
The main selling point of these seed-spreading drones is efficiency, the firm claims. Getting a human workforce requires extra planning, and money, and could risk fatigue, which can lead to errors. The drones could stand to aid a human workforce in replanting trees or go at it alone.
"Velocity and operational cost are two things that can slow down the pace of restoration. On the other hand, we must be able to move quickly to minimise the effects of climate change. Therefore, drone technology can be a way to accelerate reforestation at an affordable cost," said Rendy Ferixen, the CEO of Avirtech.
It has already introduced them to the South-East Asian market with plans to spread its wings further afield.
South-East Asia is one of the most heavily deforested regions in the world, if not the worst. 73% of the region's deforestation is for commercial agriculture, such as palm oil.
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It has the highest rate of deforestation of any tropical region, losing around 1.2% of its forested regions annually.
Singapore itself plays a vital role in the palm oil industry, with environmental NGOs pushing for developments in sustainable palm oil in a bid to tackle the rising rate of deforestation. Some, like the WWF, are aware that quitting the industry would severely affect the country's economy, so more sustainable initiatives are being favoured in the long term.
Avirtech's drones have been designed to fly over any terrain and shoot seeds accurately. The company claims they have a high germination rate, leading to forest growth in areas with low soil quality, although there are several factors which could determine this.
The firm specialises in what it calls "crop intelligence", monitoring sites through both aerial and ground analysis through topography, crop health, soil quality, rainfall and farm operations activity.
It also claims that drones can work "eight times faster" than humans.
Outside of reforestation, the drones have seen use in urban farming, protecting arable land such as paddy fields, and in aiding sustainable agriculture in the region.
Planting a large number of trees in a short space of time is essential. Trees take a long time to grow, and having saplings sprouting in a timely manner will allow for reforestation to begin sequestering carbon sooner.
More trees will enable ecosystems and habitats to recover before they are completely destroyed. Species such as orangutans are dependent on the tropical forests in the region.
Forests are home to roughly 80% of the world's amphibians, 75% of birds and 68% of mammals, and deforestation is increasing globally. According to Our World in Data, 10 million hectares are lost every year - an area the size of Portugal.
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In addition, growing plants in the soil can help it become more fertile and aid future plant growth, although soil quality can and likely will be affected.
Much of the current reforestation efforts are handled by environmental NGOs, and the use of drones could exponentially increase the number of trees planted per year.
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