Plane To Capture Forest Data On Video

Starting today, the Boise National Forest will use a video-armed airplane to collect information on forest conditions and highly vulnerable tree plantations.

Conrad Aviation Technologies Inc. will fly over the area for the next two days.

The video equipment uses the Global Positioning System to determine locations on the ground. Taped information can be put into video disks to provide information about forest vegetation, such as kinds of trees and plants, number per acre, density, insect activity and percentage of dying trees.

The information will help Forest Service specialists determine the best methods and tools to use to manage young tree plantations.