How do you use the app?
With the app installed in your smartphone, you record a video in the forest at a right angle to your walking direction. After that, the app processes the video and calculates forestry parameters, which are shown in the application. In the Pro-app, you can record and save multiple measurements, create stand reports, and more.
What can you measure with KATAM Forest Pro?
Average diameter, average volume, basal area, stem density, and more for individual measurements. You can then combine multiple measurements into stand information where you get additional parameters such as diameter distribution. Additionally, each individual tree gets a position, diameter, height and volume.
How does the technology behind the app work?
From a video recording, the app measures the movement of the phone to build a 3D model of the surroundings. Using this model, we can identify trees and compute forestry parameters.
How long does it take to process a recording?
The time taken primarily depends on the phone model and the length of the recorded video. For faster processing, you can try to record shorter videos, but be aware that short recordings have a lower measurement precision, especially if you can’t see as many trees. With the Pro-application, you can record multiple videos which are then processed in the background.
What does it cost?
The Mini-app is free. You need at least one reference sign for good measurements though. Meet us or one of our parnters at SkogsElmia to get a sign, or buy it here in the shop!
The maximum recording time is too short in Mini! Can I record longer videos?
Yes. Under application settings, you can select to buy an upgrade which increases your maximum recording time from 30 to 90 seconds.
Where can I download the app?
Open Google Play on your phone and search for “KATAM Forest”. If you can’t find the app, then your phone unfortunately doesn’t meet the device requirements. Check out our interoperability page to find out which devices we recommend.
Does KATAM Forest work on all devices?
No. The application is currently available only on Android, and we have a set of performance requirements that must be fulfilled to be able to install the application.
Can I get KATAM Forest on iPhone?
Not yet.
How are tree heights measured in KATAM Forest?
Currently, you may manually input an average height for the measurement, then tree height is estimated for each tree using a an adaptive height curve. If you elect not to input an average height, the application will use a static height curve instead.
Why is the application not detecting any trees?
Often, it’s because of faulty measurement technique. In the application menu there is a user guide. Follow it closely and try to make a new recording. If you don’t succeed, contact us and we’ll help you figure out what the problem is!
Why does the app miss a tree in the recording?
Sometimes, the application will fail to detect one or a few trees seen in the recording area. This may for example be because it was too far or too near the camera, making it hard to measure precisely, or because other trees covered it at just the right angles for us to be unable to measure it. Remember to consult the user guide to get the most out of your measurements!
Why aren’t the measurement values correct?
First of all it depends on your comparison. If you would like to control the measurement, you should cross caliper each measured tree. Measurements from your forestry plan or the Swedish forestry institute are too broad to be used as reference on a single measurement.
Has the application detected a reference sign in the recording? To guarantee qualitative measurements, at least one reference sign must be detected in the recording.
Longer recordings with correctly placed reference signs will give better measurement results, and rounding the first and last tree in your measurement area slightly will also help.