A protocol for canopy cover monitoring on forest restoration projects using low-cost drones

Abstract Remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) are becoming well-known for monitoring forest restoration (FR). Canopy cover percentage on a site is major indicator the early phases of FR. We present protocol to evaluate canopy using low-cost RPA and friendly computational environment. tested in six FR projects Brazilian Atlantic Forest. After processing images automatically generate digital surface model terrain model, measured QGIS by considering height thresholds model. The results had F 1 values higher than 0.9, which confirms robust methodology that does not require specific computer science or remote sensing skills. Thus, proved be accurate user-friendly measuring cover, improves during most stages. Such finding plays an important role policies future works must study tree via drones.