Feasibility study for development of an accessible UAV-based Tree Health Management Platform: Ash Dieback

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Ash Dieback Disease (ADD) is a highly destructive disease of Ash trees, especially England's native Ash species, common Ash (_Fraxinus excelsior_). It is caused by a fungus named _Hymenoscyphus fraxineus_ (_H. fraxineus_), which is of eastern Asian origin. ADD is also known as 'Chalara', which can distinguish it from dieback on Ash trees caused by other agents (Forest Research). ADD was first detected in the UK in 2012 and is forecast to eventually kill 80% of UK ash trees, at a predicted cost of £15bn, with £7.6 billion being the estimate for the next 10 years (Hill et al., 2019).The Woodland Trust (2021) reports that only 7% of UK native woodlands are in good ecological condition. In England, poor condition is characterised by "inappropriate management." Poor woodland and tree health threatens forestry productivity and economic value, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the ability of woodland to securely store and sequester carbon, undermining progress towards net zero and eroding the confidence in and security of carbon offsetting schemes.Ash also provides an important commercial revenue stream to the growers who produce Ash across the UK. Ash timber is strong, durable, flexible, and attractive, with a wide range of practical and decorative uses such as tool handles, flooring, furniture and joinery It is also important for the making of sports goods, such as rowing oars, sporting bats and hurley sticks, due to its almost entirely shock resistant nature.As one of England's most useful and versatile native tree species, Ash provides valuable habitat for a wide range of dependent species. It grows in a variety of soils and climatic conditions. The 'airy' nature of its foliage allows light to penetrate to the woodland floor, encouraging ground plants and fauna. Several insects, other invertebrates, lichens, and mosses depend wholly on Ash for habitat.Emerging technology from the agri-tech sector will be deployed in the project. The physiology and structure of tree canopies can be estimated by measuring the reflected light with these specialist sensors. By combining this information with expert knowledge of ADD, we can produce predictive models of ADD and other tree diseases. This project will investigate how these models are integrated with decision support systems for informing management of England's Ash trees, developing an affordable solution to benefit smaller woodland owners in identify disease infestation, to allow them to take proactive intervention measures.