Case Study: ARAUCO achieves streamlined, high-accuracy forestry inventory and optimized harvest planning with Trimble Harrier

World’s Largest Forestry Inventory Project Streamlined By Advanced GeoSpatial Technology

ARAUCO, the world’s second-largest cellulose producer, needed accurate, up-to-date forest inventories to support sustainable management, harvesting and safety across large, often steep plantation lands. Traditional inspections and terrestrial surveys were too slow, costly and imprecise for the company’s scale, so ARAUCO engaged spatial-imaging specialist Digimapas Chile in 2006 to deliver a modern, high-accuracy solution.

Digimapas deployed the Trimble Harrier 56 mapping system (full-waveform airborne LiDAR, dual aerial cameras and Applanix POS AV) to capture, process and deliver 1 m digital terrain and surface models, true orthoimages (RGB and CIR) and waveform data. Over three years they mapped 75,000 km2 (about 10% of Chile), delivering ~4,500 km2 per month with typical three-day turnaround. The data enabled tree-by-tree classification, timber volume, height, diameter and density estimates, improved slope, hydrology and road planning, optimized wood extraction, increased safety and boosted plantation productivity and profitability.

Arauco

Sergio Gonzalez

Project Manager