The Tiniroto Forest Impact Report (Jan–Mar 2023) provides a satellite-based assessment of vegetation health following Cyclone Gabrielle. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the report tracks forest loss, degradation, and early signs of recovery after one of the most severe storms to hit Gisborne District, New Zealand.

In large-scale forest operations, reactive management isn’t enough—having access to real-time environmental intelligence is critical. This report leverages geospatial analytics and NDVI monitoring to provide a data-backed evaluation of post-cyclone damage, offering forestry decision-makers early warning signs of deforestation, erosion, and canopy loss.

By applying advanced filtering and NDVI-based thresholding, this report ensures that only permanent, high-impact forest loss events are captured, distinguishing between seasonal shifts and long-term degradation.

• Monitoring Period: January 1 – March 20, 2023
• Runs Conducted: 6 monitoring runs
• Significant Changes Detected:
  ✅ 42 major vegetation loss events recorded
  ✅ 184 total negative changes
  ✅ Only 2 areas showed positive vegetation recovery
• Excluded Data:94 cloud-affected images removed453 small-scale changes filtered out
• Largest Affected Area: 8.27 ha (March 3, 2023)

This high-resolution analysis is designed to help forest managers, environmental compliance officers, and sustainability leaders:

🌲 Monitor post-cyclone forest health without field inspections – Reduce reliance on costly, time-consuming ground surveys with real-time NDVI tracking.

📊 Detect high-risk erosion zones early – Identify areas where soil loss and sediment movement may impact sustainable yield and FSC compliance.

🛰 Streamline sustainability reporting – Use objective satellite data to support FSC audits, adaptive management planning, and regulatory compliance.

💰 Reduce operational risk and optimize resource allocation – Plan clearfelling, replanting, and buffer zone protection efforts based on real geospatial insights.

✅ Forest Managers & Plantation Directors – Make data-driven decisions on reforestation, harvesting, and biodiversity protection.

✅ Environmental Compliance Managers – Strengthen FSC certification processes with remote monitoring evidence of conservation practices.

✅ Chief Sustainability Officers & ESG Leaders – Use satellite-based impact assessments to align forestry operations with sustainability goals and carbon offset initiatives.

✅ Regional Operations Managers – Ensure adaptive management strategies are informed by real-world environmental change data.