Forest Mapping in Abu Dhabi: How Drones and AI Helped Us See the Forest and the Trees

In the heart of Abu Dhabi, a sprawling 590 square kilometres of forest needed attention. These weren’t just trees—they were ecosystems, vital to the region’s environmental balance. The challenge was clear: How do you efficiently and accurately map such an enormous area in a way that offers actionable insights? Traditional methods couldn’t meet the deadline, so the clients turned to us to redefine what’s possible in forest management.

A Mission with Purpose

This project wasn’t just about mapping trees; it was about understanding them. By providing data on tree health, classifications, and surrounding features, the goal was to give our client a way to make better decisions about forest conservation and management. From native trees to palms and ornamental species, each classification mattered. Every piece of data would play a role in creating a more sustainable future for the forests of Abu Dhabi.

What We Were Up Against

Mapping an area this large in 20 flight days was no small feat. Dense forests and limited accessibility made certain areas tricky to cover. The sheer size of the project meant handling 18 terabytes of data, including 750,000 RGB images and 2 million multispectral images. If that wasn’t challenging enough, we also needed to ensure the teams—operating 21 drones—worked safely and efficiently, sometimes in overlapping zones.

How We Did It

We deployed six highly skilled teams who worked tirelessly to make this ambitious project a reality. Using Mavic 3M drones, the teams captured high-resolution RGB and multispectral data.

The Tech in Action

• RGB Imagery: Captured clear visuals of tree types, fences, buildings, and other critical features.
• Multispectral Data: Provided an in-depth look at tree health, offering insights invisible to the naked eye.
• AI-Powered Insights: Picterra, an AI platform, helped detect and classify features with impressive accuracy. By training a custom model for this project, we ensured that the insights were tailored specifically to the forest’s needs.

Overcoming Challenges

When you’re dealing with data on this scale, everything from storage to processing becomes a hurdle. The team carefully coordinated to ensure smooth operations, particularly in overlapping flight zones where safety was paramount. AI tools streamlined much of the analysis, but manual quality checks played a crucial role in ensuring the results met the highest standards.

Even Mother Nature threw a few curveballs—dense forest canopies and reflections from certain features required us to adapt on the go. Flexibility was key, and the team handled it all with precision and professionalism.

What We Delivered

After processing, we provided our client with:

• High-resolution orthomosaics and point clouds
• Detailed GIS data
• Reports classifying trees into categories like native, palm, and ornamental, complete with health assessments

These deliverables didn’t just meet expectations—they inspired new possibilities. From wildlife monitoring to wildfire detection, the project opened doors to innovative uses of drones in forest management.

Why It Matters

The data wasn’t just numbers and classifications—it was a way forward, a tool to make better decisions for the forests and the environment at large.

The project proved that drone technology and AI aren’t just tools; they play an integral role in environmental conservation.

Looking Ahead

This project showed us the power of teamwork, innovation, and adaptability. It reminded us that when we embrace technology with purpose, we don’t just solve problems—we create new opportunities. As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue redefining what’s possible in environmental management.

If this inspires you to explore how drones and AI can transform your operations, let’s start a conversation. Together, we can create smarter, more sustainable solutions.