Geographical Information System (GIS) surveying is the digital capture and conversion of data. Taken from a number of sources such as aerial photography, hard-copy maps, and GPS surveys, it gives you the power to visualise, explore, query, and analyse areas of land, and provide support for informed decision-making.

Many clients have benefited from our GIS surveys, including land agents, forest management companies, private estates, utility companies and renewable energy companies. UPM Tilhill GIS surveys provide our clients with:

Aerial photography

High quality, up-to-date aerial photography is the key to an accurate interpretation. The aerial photography is rectified and viewed in stereo to enable precise capture of crop features.

Photo interpretation

Selected features can then be accurately visualised from the photo. Line features such as watercourses, fence lines and tracks, along with areas of similar land type (eg. Crop type) are digitally captured and attributes can then be attached.

Creating map and database

The photo interpretation is validated by ground checking, which can be undertaken by UPM Tilhill or the client. The result is linked map and database, populated with forest attributes such as species type, planting year, and yield class.

Hazards and constraints

Additional layers can be imported to show operational hazards and constraints such as watercourses, power lines, and archaeological features.

Data analysis

The GIS can be interrogated and analysed to form the basis for management decisions such as testing financial options or producing 3D perspectives for landscape planning. A felling coupe may be identified, and estimated timber volumes calculated.

Assessing visual impact

A digital terrain model clearly displays the landscape impact of the proposed felling coupe.

Restocking design

The GIS can be used as a tool for designing restocking plans.

Visualising restock planting

The effect of the restocking proposals can be visualised in a digital terrain model.