FORSAID has published its fourth practice abstract, “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for Stakeholders”, on EU CAP Network, highlighting how drone technology can transform pest surveillance in forests and nurseries.

Traditional pest monitoring relies on time-consuming visual inspections by trained personnel. FORSAID is advancing a faster, more efficient alternative by using RPAS (drones) equipped with advanced imaging sensors, enabling early detection of pest infestations, especially in remote or hard-to-access areas.

This approach focuses on two damaging species: the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Portugal and Spain, and the fungus Ceratocystis platani affecting plane trees across southern Europe. Using hyperspectral, multispectral and thermal imaging, drones can detect pest-related stress in trees even before visible symptoms appear, supporting faster, targeted interventions.

By offering quicker outbreak detection and more efficient resource allocation, this technology provides practical benefits for stakeholders like forest managers and nursery operators, helping to protect both natural landscapes and urban environments from severe pest impacts.

Read the full abstract here.