Since 1994, a series of Seminars on Remote Sensing and GIS applications in Forest Engineering have been held every two years in Curitiba (Capital of Paraná State) under the leadership of FUPEF (Foundation for Forest Studies). The need for updated knowledge about the forest resources of Brazil has prompted the user community to seek new tools, information extraction techniques and data manipulation that can provide methods of characterization, mapping, inventory and monitoring of vegetation cover and condition, taking into account that, over the years, there has been an aggressive and, frequently, irrational use of forest resources.
In this framework, these Seminars are focused on issues, aiming to increase the knowledge of the forestry community involved in studies in both natural and planted forests. Experiences gained on the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge on the use of new geo-technologies, including photogrammetry and photo-interpretation, remote sensing, GIS and GPS are among the themes of these seminars.
Since the beginning of this series of Seminars, 140 invited speakers have presented scientific papers, besides 110 technical scientific posters and around 1000 forest engineers and technicians have participated. As a continuation of this highly-successful effort and of its acceptance by the forest community, the 8th Seminar on Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Forest Engineering (Oct. 7th -9th 2008, in Curitiba, Paraná) is being planned.
Included in the program will be a series of presentations by Brazilian specialists, representatives from other countries of Latin Ameri ca, and guest speakers from the USA and Europe involved in forestry remote sensing and GIS applications, furthermore the presentation of technical scientific posters from the users community. It is also important to mention that representatives of commercial companies and institutions in the field of geo-technologies, who provide services on planning, management and execution of remote sensing and GIS activities related to forestry, will exhibit their products and services and be available to answer questions and discuss potential applications during the seminar.
More information can be found at www.8seminarioflorestal.com.br/home/Default_in.aspx