Tyrol's forests of the future: seed drones for climate -resistant reforestation

Tyrol's forests of the future: seed drones for climate -resistant reforestation

In the past few days it has not only rained water in Tyrol, but also seeds for a sustainable future of the forests. The Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBF) have introduced an innovative procedure in order to reforest the protective forest areas in the Zillertal, which are difficult to access by the use of seed drones. This technology is used for the first time in its forest area to achieve a quick stabilization of the lukewarm slopes after the floods in 2023.

The drone, which is equipped with modern GPS technology, has applied a total of four hectares near Mayrhofen seeds. The seeds used consists of a carefully selected mixture, which is made up of deep -rooted plants and diversified tree species. The board spokesman for ÖBF, Georg Schöppl, emphasizes the urgency of these measures, since climate change is added to the domestic forests and they are exposed to extreme weather conditions.

species -rich mixed forest for the future

Sales of tree species such as larch, white pine, gray and mountain maple were selected for the afforestation. These tree species, together with a mixture of over 40 herbaceous plants, such as Spitzwegenich and the yarrow, are said to form a climate most mixed forest. The experts take into account not only the future climate conditions, but also the soil nature and the microclimate of the region.

A special pelleting of the seeds protects them from external influences such as dryness and eating through mice. This increases the chances of germ. The optimal time of sowing was placed on the late autumn so that the seeds can enjoy the winter rest under the snow cover before germinating in spring. In the previous drone inserts, 14 kg of tree seeds and 25 kg of plant seeds have already been distributed across the areas.

technology meets nature

The specially developed seed drone, which is used in these projects, has a span of around 2.5 meters and can transport up to 20 kg of seed pellets per flight. It flies at a maximum height of 15 meters and follows precisely using a 3D computer model calculated paths. This enables the consideration of steep slopes and other obstacles without endangering the security of the forest workers.

The drone is used in cooperation with the Berlin company "Skysed", which has both developed the technology and provides the pelleting process. The first results from Germany show that the reforestation with drone technology is promising. Regular monitoring of the areas will show how the project in the Zillertal will develop over the next few years.

The implemented technology opens up promising perspectives for the future of forestry. In addition to the protective forest areas, the drone technology could be used in various other applications, such as on forest fire areas. "Technical innovations are essential aids for maintaining and maintaining our forests, which are both habitat and climate protection," continued Schöpll.