Spanish botany celebrates a new milestone: they create digital copies of trees to be able to study them from home
Scientists have done things as incredible as mapping the atmosphere of Uranus in 3D, but there are discoveries that seem minor and are just as important. For example, creating digital copies of Mediterranean trees.
This use of three-dimensional laser scanning technology is equally important, as it is a tool that allows analyzing the behavior of trees without having to physically be in the forest. The research is led by the Center for Ecological Research and Forest Applications (CREAF). In fact, botanists are already warning that this is a key leap in monitoring water status and in the fight against climate change. How Spanish scientists have managed to create 3D copies of Mediterranean trees The project is based on the use of 3D laser scanners capable of extremely precisely reproducing the structure of trees. Through this technology, scientists generate virtual models that replicate every detail of the tree, from the trunk to the branches. But why are these copies so important? The key is that these digital twins allow us to observe and analyze the behavior of trees without the need to intervene directly on them. That is, it is a tool that facilitates continuous study and reduces dependence on traditional field work. The process is integrated into a broader forest monitoring system, where digitalization plays an indispensable role. According to the CREAF study, these virtual replicas are key to moving towards more precise management of Mediterranean forests. Why it is important to simulate a Mediterranean forest in your own laboratoryField work will always be necessary, but one of the main advantages of digital twins is their ability to simulate different climate scenarios. Using 3D models, botanists can predict how trees will respond to situations such as prolonged droughts or changes in temperatures. This allows them to anticipate the deterioration of certain species and evaluate possible risks before they occur in the real environment. In this way, research provides a strategic tool to improve forest planning. This scientific advance would be important at any time in history, but it is especially useful now. All because, unfortunately, we live in a context marked by extreme climatic conditions. Spanish botany manages to monitor the entire Mediterranean forests. Another key to the research is that it can ensure that no Mediterranean tree remains unmonitored. The projection is to have the entire forest under control. For this reason, they have carried out the first tests in the Collserola mountain range with the installation of sensors in trees that are especially representative of the Mediterranean ecosystem. For example, in pines, holm oaks and oaks. The objective is to analyze how these trees manage water and detect water stress situations early. To do this, the devices record data such as sap flow and changes in trunk thickness. All this information is collected continuously and integrated to follow the evolution of the forest in real time, which represents a substantial change compared to traditional spot measurement methods.
