Machine Learning Breakthrough in Forestry Management

#### First-Ever Regional Forest Mapping with 1-Meter Precision:

Hamdi Zurqani, assistant professor for the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, developed the first high-resolution forest canopy cover dataset for an entire state, providing valuable insights for forest management and conservation to a major economic sector in Arkansas.

**FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.** — A groundbreaking dataset is offering an unprecedented, detailed view of Arkansas’ forests, measured at an impressive 1-meter resolution. This achievement marks a significant milestone in forest management and conservation, providing essential data to a major economic sector in the state.

Hamdi Zurqani, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, has pioneered the first high-resolution forest canopy cover dataset for an entire state. “I envisioned creating a tool that could be relied upon by researchers, conservationists, and policymakers alike,” Zurqani said. “No such data existed before on a statewide scale—previous efforts were limited to site-specific projects.”

The uniqueness of this dataset lies in its 1-meter resolution, a stark contrast to the more common 30-meter spatial resolution datasets typically derived from satellite imagery. Zurqani, who is part of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center—a partnership between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and UAM—highlighted the importance of this advancement. The experiment station serves as the research division of the Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

#### The Importance of Forest Canopy Cover:

Forest canopy cover refers to the extent to which tree crowns form a continuous layer over the ground when viewed from above. This detailed metric is vital for monitoring forest health, as the canopy plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and water regulation.

Accurate mapping of tree coverage is essential for scientists to monitor and manage forest resources effectively, ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems. Additionally, this information can be pivotal in assessing wildfire risks, tracking threats from pests and climate change, and aiding in urban planning initiatives.

According to the latest Arkansas Agricultural Profile, forests cover 57% of the state. Timber was one of Arkansas’ top commodities in 2021, generating approximately $409 million in cash farm receipts.

#### Harnessing the Power of Machine Learning:

Zurqani’s groundbreaking dataset was created using advanced machine learning techniques and the Google Earth Engine, a cloud-based platform designed for processing and analyzing large-scale geospatial data. Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, enables computers to learn from data, identify patterns, make predictions, and adapt over time without explicit programming.

By leveraging the high-resolution aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), Zurqani applied and tested his methods to produce this detailed forest canopy cover dataset. NAIP, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, captures high-resolution imagery of agricultural areas during the growing season. This imagery supports various agricultural and environmental applications, including crop monitoring, land use assessment, and now, thanks to Zurqani’s work, forest management on an unprecedented scale.

### Advancing Forest Monitoring with High-Resolution Data:

#### Precision in Forest Canopy Assessment:

The new 1-meter spatial resolution dataset for Arkansas forests represents a significant advancement in the accuracy of canopy structure and composition assessments. According to Hamdi Zurqani, this level of detail is crucial for effectively monitoring changes in forest dynamics, pinpointing vulnerable areas, and implementing targeted conservation strategies. Zurqani envisions that this high-resolution dataset could set a new standard for forest canopy measurement.

“The future potential of this dataset is immense,” Zurqani stated. “We can use it to analyze all forest areas, identify healthy versus diseased trees, and even detect trees in urban environments due to its precision.” This capability will allow for more targeted and effective forest management practices.

#### Expanding Horizons: A Vision for Nationwide and Global Impact:

Arkansas is home to 502 cities and 75 counties, and Zurqani's research has included evaluations of forests and tree-covered areas within these urban and rural regions. While the current focus is on Arkansas, Zurqani hopes to extend this innovative methodology across all 50 states, providing a comprehensive tool for forest management nationwide.

“Machine learning and cloud computing technologies have proven capable of producing reliable, high-resolution forest cover datasets,” Zurqani noted. “These techniques hold the potential to enhance forest management and conservation efforts globally.”

#### Stay Connected with Division of Agriculture Research:

For more information on research conducted by the Division of Agriculture, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow the Division on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the *Food, Farms and Forests* podcast, and sign up for the monthly newsletter, *Arkansas Agricultural Research Report*. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit [uada.edu](https://uada.edu). Follow us on X at @AgInArk for updates.

For inquiries about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit [uaex.uada.edu](https://uaex.uada.edu).

#### About the Division of Agriculture:

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture aims to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research with the adoption of best practices.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System, with offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. The Division offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital . It is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.