Importance of GIS solutions for beekeepers: a review

D. Kotovs* and A. Zacepins

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Information Technologies, Department of Computer Systems, Liela iela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: daniels.kotovs@lbtu.lv

Abstract:

In today’s realities, beekeeping encounters a number of different challenges, including the lack of suitable areas, urbanisation, intensive farming methods etc. In order to meet the current needs, modern beekeeping uses various information technology solutions that support beekeepers in their activities. Among such solutions, the use of geographic information systems and spatial data is relevant. At the time of writing this work, its authors are developing software solution for beekeepers based on Geographic Information System (GIS) and an interactive map within the scientific project named Hiveopolis. To further develop this solution, it is necessary to investigate the current situation related to issues in modern beekeeping and the solutions already available. In this study, a detailed review of solutions was carried out, which, according to the authors, are the most similar in subject matter to their developed solution. During the review, the authors studied the actual problems of beekeeping solved with the help of the considered solutions, and also provided possible ways to improve existing solutions, presenting their developed system. As a result, the study confirmed the relevance of this direction, and also made it possible

Key words:

Platform for simulation of automated crop production

M. Hakojärvi¹, M. Hautala¹, J. Ahokas¹, T. Oksanen², T. Maksimow², A. Aspiala², A. Visala²

¹University of Helsinki, Department of Agricultural Sciences
²Helsinki University of Technology, Department of Automation and Systems Technology

Abstract:

During the last few decades technology used in crop production has developed noticeably. The work of farmers has decreased and continues decreasing by means of technology and automation. The aim of this research project was to find out requirements for methods and automated machines needed in automated crop production. Agricultural machines capable of utilizing variable rate application (VRA) technology enable considering spatial variability in agricultural fields during different field operations. Agricultural field robots are the next step in technology, capable of utilizing sensor and actuating technologies, without human driven tractors. However, agricultural field robots are stil under research, and commercial products do not exist. The next generation of crop farming, in the vision of authors, is based on automatic crop farming, which incorporates stationary and moving sensors systems, robots, model based decision making, automated operation planning which are adapting to spatial variability according to the measurements as wel as to weather conditions. This article presents a top-down approach of automated crop farming using simulation, trying to cover the most important pieces on a ful y automatic farm and the environment is model ed. The developed simulation environment is presented as wel as preliminary simulation results. The environment simulator is based on a col ection of models, including models for crop and weed growth, soil water flow and generators for spatial variation and statistical y varying weather.

Key words:

crop growth models, decision making, environment simulation, operation planning, robots