The environment in which forestry operations take place has changed dramatically over the past few years. The fight against climate change and the contribution of the forest sector are now major issues. Quebec’s forest industry is preparing for this by bringing non-commercial silviculture operations into the age of mechanization.
The objective is to identify the most robust route for rapid production at sites affected by large fires. This project will provide, in the short-term, insight into the extent of current opportunities for mechanization of silviculture operations in Quebec. A shift to mechanized silvicultural work will change the development process and require an adjustment of the value grid for silviculture work.
The unique strength of the project is FPInnovations’s ability to act as an “honest broker” facilitating the development and implementation of innovations that reflect the needs of the entire sector.
FPInnovations will test and validate advanced technologies such as mechanized planting, automated inventory using drones and LiDAR, and intelligent sensors to optimize the quality of the planting. The project is based on the establishment of a coordinated movement for development and exchange amongst all stakeholders in the connected network of silvicultural operations.
The objectives of this approach are:
- Accelerate the rapid implementation of mature mechanized solutions
- Adaptation of already available technologies
- Facilitate the implementation of innovations by stakeholders
- Adaptation of standards and regulations
- Adjustments on awarding contracts
- Adaptations to the silviculture prescriptions
- Make sure stakeholders support the decisions for which ideas to prioritize
- Support in the implementation.
In the long term, a future is envisioned where forest operations are fully optimized, with efficient planting, improved nursery logistics and integration of AI and sensor technologies to ensure sustainable forest growth. FPInnovations is in a unique position to quickly bring together key players in the forestry sector to accelerate the search for silvicultural solutions by leveraging other provinces and our international collaborators.
For more information, please contact Anne Lebrun-Ruff, Strategic Partnership Lead, Atlantic region.
