The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds

Ercan Oktan; Neslihan Atar

doi:10.33904/ejfe.1923676

The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds

Abstract

Global climate change is altering the natural distribution of tree species, resulting in the emergence of new regions that are suitable for afforestation. Also, these newly established areas are characterized by challenging topography. In this context, high-elevation, hard to access mountains are targeted for afforestation, requiring new technological solution over manual labour. In this study, the use of drone-based seed sowing and seed ball deployment for afforestation was evaluated by comparing them with traditional hand sowing of carpelled Cedar. Although the study area presented extreme conditions, seed sowing was uniform across the site. Germination generally occurred at lower elevation and in the southern regions of the study area. Measurements taken on June 4, 2025 (at the beginning of vegetation) showed that there were 7626 sapling and a germination success rate of 23.73%. Measurements taken on November 18, 2025 (at the end of the vegetation period) showed that the number of saplings was 3542 and the germination rate was 12.81%. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the drone-based carpelled cedar seed sowing method can be successfully used.

Keywords

Cedrus libani, UAV Technology, Climate change, Cone scale, Germination, Extreme Conditions

Ethical Statement

N/A.

Thanks

We would like to thank the General Directorate of Forestry and Ecording Environmental Technologies Software Engineering Trade Ltd. Co. for their cooperation and support in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forestry Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ercan Oktan ^*
0000-0001-6136-8392
Türkiye

Neslihan Atar
0000-0002-4616-8381
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

July 25, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

April 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1923676

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44ES72HN

APA

Oktan, E., & Atar, N. (2026). The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds. European Journal of Forest Engineering, Advanced Online Publication, 106-115. https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1923676

AMA

1.Oktan E, Atar N. The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds. Eur J Forest Eng. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):106-115. doi:10.33904/ejfe.1923676

Chicago

Oktan, Ercan, and Neslihan Atar. 2026. “The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus Libani A. Rich.) Seeds”. European Journal of Forest Engineering, no. Advanced Online Publication: 106-15. https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1923676.

EndNote

Oktan E, Atar N (July 1, 2026) The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds. European Journal of Forest Engineering Advanced Online Publication 106–115.

IEEE

[1]E. Oktan and N. Atar, “The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds”, Eur J Forest Eng, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 106–115, July 2026, doi: 10.33904/ejfe.1923676.

ISNAD

Oktan, Ercan - Atar, Neslihan. “The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus Libani A. Rich.) Seeds”. European Journal of Forest Engineering. Advanced Online Publication (July 1, 2026): 106-115. https://doi.org/10.33904/ejfe.1923676.

JAMA

1.Oktan E, Atar N. The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds. Eur J Forest Eng. 2026;:106–115.

MLA

Oktan, Ercan, and Neslihan Atar. “The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus Libani A. Rich.) Seeds”. European Journal of Forest Engineering, no. Advanced Online Publication, July 2026, pp. 106-15, doi:10.33904/ejfe.1923676.

Vancouver

1.Ercan Oktan, Neslihan Atar. The Use of New Technologies in Forestry to Combat Climate Change: Drone (UAV) Sowing of Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Seeds. Eur J Forest Eng. 2026 Jul. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):106-15. doi:10.33904/ejfe.1923676

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