Pine processionary defoliations impact pine wood production quantity and quality. The profound impacts on forest vitality and productivity concur with public health problems, since larvae have stinging hairs that can cause severe allergic reactions to humans and domestic animals either by direct contact or by inhalation. OUTBREAK project aims to assess the vulnerability of Castilla y Leon forests to pine processionary attacks. We will develop algorithms to semi-automatically map historical processionary damages, identifying the predisposing factors that trigger outbreaks in the region. The last objective is to develop an early detection tool that enables the identification of defoliation events at early stages. OUTBREAK tackles this problem from a multidisciplinary approach including LiDAR information, satellite images, Artificial Intelligence, and dendrochronology.
Project OUTBREAK (VA171P20) funded by Junta de Castilla y León.
