Conventional aerial sketchmapping and digital aerial sketchmapping development for forest monitoring in Paraná: state of art and potentialities

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to the technique of aerial sketchmapping in respect to its characteristics, applications and potential for use in Brazil, mainly to monitor changes in forest cover in Paraná state. The method consists of observation and annotation of features or phenomena from overflights in the area of interest flying at low altitudes along a predetermined route. It also presents the advantages obtained with the introduction of digital aerial sketchmapping, which defined the new name for the technique as Digital Aerial Sketchmapping. In this case the annotations are performed digitally on the screen (touch screen) of a notebook and not on paper map, as in the conventional technique. The development of methodologies that demonstrate technical efficiency and economic viability has received increased emphasis on research, according to the necessity of obtaining reliable information to support decision making at the government level, for an appropriate monitoring procedure and/or planning a  given region. Considering the dynamics of land use and the need to monitor land cover, it can be stated that the Aerial Sketchmapping has high potential for application to brazilian conditions and still excelent cost/benefit relation.

doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.63.245