VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists and natural resource management agencies will no longer have to pay for optical images for forest inventory and surveys after the Vietnam DataCube, a satellite database, is put into operation. 


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FIPl is carrying out a forest inventory project



In 2017, the Forest Inventory and Planning Department (FIPl) in 2017 signed an MOU with the Vietnam Space Center on using satellite data in forest inventory.

FIPl is one of the institutes which use satellite images regularly in their work. In 2013-2016, it was the key unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development that implemented the national forest inventory project.

For the inventory, FIPl had to use high-resolution satellite images that were no older than one year old. 

In the past, images were provided by the National Remote Sensing Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MARD). However, many problems existed. 

As these were optical images, their quality could not meet standards and they were also very costly. It was estimated that FIPl had to spend several billion dong a year on images alone, according to FIPl head Nguyen Nghia Bien.

Bien puts high expectations on Vietnam DataCube, which allows access to free sources of high-quality images at certain times. 

FIPl is carrying out a forest inventory project in 2016-2020 and has to release reports on changes in the forests. With access to image sources of Vietnam DataCube, the task can be implemented properly.

FIPl is carrying out a forest inventory project in 2016-2020 and has to release reports on changes in the forests. With access to image sources of Vietnam DataCube, the task can be implemented properly.
The Vietnam Space Center and FIPl in April will discuss a plan to deploy the Vietnam DataCube, including use of software and images for forest inventory in Phu Tho province on a trial basis.

According to Dr Vu Anh Tuan from the Vietnam Space Center, Vietnam DataCube is designed in a way to better serve remote sensing users in Vietnam and minimize the time and expertise required to reach and process satellite data. 

The DataCube has completely open algorithms, free of charge, based on open source software solutions. The system has a consistent data structure that allows codes, tools and algorithms to be shared.

The system also allows the use of combined data and common GIS tools (such as QGIS and ArcGIS) along with customer service and user support.

The hardware of the system was set up in July 2017, while the installation and setting began in September 2017.

Scientists say satellite data has great application potential in Vietnam in agriculture, environmental resources management, flood control and irrigation.