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Precision forestry
Overview
What is precision forestry
RGE’s business groups manage millions of hectares of plantation and conservation forest around the world. By using science, technology, and investment in R&D we strive to use this land more effectively, increasing plantation productivity without expanding our land footprint, which in turn generates more funding for conservation and restoration of natural forests.
From the drones and satellites we use to map our plantations to the hundreds of scientists working to breed more productive and resilient trees, precision forestry is helping benefit both the economy and the environment.
Integrated pest management
At RGE, all our forestry and agriculture businesses use a system called integrated pest management to deal with the pests and disease that can affect plantations. Integrated pest management uses a variety of methods to prevent disease and infestations before they happen, breed trees that are more resistant to infection, and increase the productivity of plantations. And because integrated pest management favours natural solutions wherever possible, it helps reduce the use of chemical pesticides, helping make our operations more sustainable.
Production-protection
APRIL uses a production-protection model which integrates both fibre plantations and conservation areas, helping keep natural forests free from external threats while providing the funding for further conservation work.
The production-protection model strives to balance economic, social and environmental considerations, and has proven effective for conservation and restoration areas in Indonesia for more than a decade.
APRIL’s plantations form a ring around natural forests, protecting them from encroachment, while generating funding for conservation through APRIL’s pledge of US$1 for conservation for every tonne of wood delivered to the mill.
Drones, satellites and AI
Drones, satellites and LiDAR play a major role in increasing the efficiency of our operations, enabling us to map and monitor our plantations and conservation areas faster and more accurately. That enables better planning of planting and harvesting, early detection of pests and disease, and more effective monitoring of other risks such as fire or illegal logging.
The use of drones for chemical application allows for more accurate and consistent spraying, keeping chemical usage to a minimum.
And we use AI models to analyse the data we gather, enabling us to quickly make informed, data-based decisions on forestry management.
All of this helps us better manage our plantation and conservation areas, benefitting both the economy and the environment.
Tree breeding
Tree breeding plays a key role in our approach to precision forestry. Through a combination of traditional silviculture practices and advanced research and development, APRIL and Bracell work continuously to enhance the productivity, adaptability, and quality of our plantations.
By carefully screening trees and cloning those found to have desirable genetic traits we can ensure that trees are adapted to the conditions of a specific location. And by selecting for faster growth rates, higher pulp yields, and greater resilience, we can ensure higher yields while reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides, helping make our plantations more sustainable.