“Bor” with AI: A Russian Drone System Is Changing the Future of Forestry
Russian company Geoscan has made a breakthrough in forest digitalization with the launch of “Bor,” an AI-powered software suite that performs automated forest inventory using drone imagery. Beyond boosting efficiency, Bor supports biodiversity conservation, strengthens monitoring against illegal logging, and aligns with climate action goals.
Smart “Guard Birds” of the Forest
This is more than just another tech novelty — it’s a practical tool that redefines forest monitoring and conservation practices, aligning with national and global sustainability initiatives.
The software automatically processes drone images, segments forest plots, and with high precision identifies deadwood areas and tree crown boundaries.
AI algorithms classify tree species and calculate essential inventory characteristics such as timber volume, tree height, and trunk diameter. The system produces detailed vector maps and timber stock reports that can be uploaded to foresters’ GPS devices, third-party applications, GIS, and online portals.
The solution has already been tested in real conditions. A pilot project in southern Sakhalin confirmed that Bor’s accuracy is comparable to the “full enumeration” method — the most labor-intensive but also the most precise form of forest inventory — and fully complies with Russia’s stringent Forest Management Instruction standards.
Every Tree Counts
On January 1, 2025, Russia launched the Federal State Information System for the Forest Sector. Bor is becoming a critical element in this digitalization strategy, providing FGIS LK with a reliable source of accurate data.
Such solutions will drastically improve efforts to combat illegal logging, accelerate record-keeping, and bring greater transparency to the entire forestry sector. By the end of 2024, illegal timber harvesting had dropped by nearly one-third, reducing pressure on ecosystems as well as curbing economic losses. In 2025, satellite monitoring of forest use expanded to 40 regions, covering 300 million hectares, with 90 million hectares in continuous observation zones.
Bor’s development follows two main tracks. The first is deep integration into Russia’s forest industry digital framework. The suite will help accelerate harvest planning and reforestation, directly influencing economic efficiency. Earlier experiments with “digital inventory,” like Ilim Group’s project in 2022, demonstrated success, but Bor offers an industry-wide, universal solution.
The second track is export-oriented. Inventory algorithms based on UAV imagery and data export to standard GIS and online platforms make Bor easily adaptable for international forest operators, consultants, and conservation projects such as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). Drone- and AI-driven solutions are rapidly becoming indispensable in forest-rich countries, and Russia is showing it has competitive technology in this field.
Bor for All Forests
Bor bridges a critical gap, linking high-level satellite imagery with traditional boots-on-the-ground forest inventories by providing species-level and stand-level estimates. Pilot projects with regional forestry departments and integration with FGIS LK are expected as early as 2025–2026.
The suite is positioned as a practical tool for leaseholders and forest industry companies. Its export potential looks particularly strong in today’s global push for sustainable forest management. By contributing to REDD+ and similar initiatives, Bor allows Russia to participate directly in global climate policy while also supporting domestic ecological goals.
