Applied Digital Documentation with Parametric 3D Modeling and Internet of Trees Functionality for Smart Forests and Monument Landscapes

Abstract

The Problem: The classic traditional digital documentation (i.e. study, design, development, and maintenance of forests, parks, and monument landscapes) shows significant problems of functionality, adaptability, sustainability, velocity, and viability. Target & Research Objectives: In the framework of forests, parks, and monument landscapes, the massive volumes of Big Data (greater variety, arriving in increasing volumes, and with more velocity) can be used to address documentation problems that wouldn’t have been able to tackle before. Smart forest, as an Internet- enabled “product”, requires Big Data because it operates in real-time and requires real-time evaluation and action. Also, the recent research and practice advances in Blockchain data structures and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) support generic structures with many services (e.g. parametric functionality). Hence, a DLT smart digital documentation can address the documentation problems. The research objectives, for digital documentation with blockchain functionality (DLT smart documentation), are defined by grouping in user-friendly palettes generic 3D CAD modeling tools which could be parameterized (e.g. trees modeling) in order to support adaptability; and by designing a new flexible and customized GUI (Graphical User Interface). Methods: The proposed methodology is based on parameterized 3D modeling of trees usually found in forests and urban parks (width and height parameters). Also, a personalized GUI operates as an interface between the end-user and the parameterized CAD (GUI palettes with many 3D modeling tools). Hence, in this paper, a parameterized 3D design is examined, analyzed, and presented in the context of digital documentation with internet of trees functionality for smart forests, urban parks, monument landscapes, and cultural heritage. Results: From the research conducted the results are: (i) a personalized, innovative, and flexible graphical interface (GUI) that could be incorporated in any commercial CAD environment; (ii) many parameterized 3D design tools specialized in the development of forms, plans, and modules (e.g., parametric tree 3D models) of objects and entities found in forests, urban parks, and monument landscapes; and (iii) the introduced internet of trees operativity (software routine), ideal for smart forests, smart monument landscapes, and landscape architecture digital documentation applications with blockchain functionality. Application: Possibility to support foresters, engineers, and landscape architects in development studies and documentation of peri-urban forests, recreational parks, pocket parks, monument landscapes, and cultural heritage projects. Increased integration functionality in blockchain knowledge databases.