Using Virtual Forest Environment on collaborative forest management

In this paper, we introduce our methods on how to use Virtual Forest Environment for collaborative forest management. We first discuss the construction issues of a Virtual Forest Environment and bring forward a method to automatically generate forest stand model through 2D GIS data, forest inventory data and Remote Sensing. Then, to meet the needs of opinion representation, we realize selecting and labeling directly on the scene with VRML and Java. Then, to support collaborative group work, we integrate some methods in Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) and Collaborative Virtual Environment (CVE) and design three models: collaborative perception model, behavior model and collaboration model. Finally, we introduce our prototype system: a virtual forest planning environment system for people from all backgrounds, including public community, domain experts and government managers. It is proved that the combination of VR, CSCW and RS technologies is a feasible and innovative way to support forest management