Hyperspectral Imaging in Preservation of Croatia’s Historic Trees: A Case Study of Dedek Oak in Maksimir Park

Abstract

Abstract. This study focuses on the application of hyperspectral imaging techniques for the genetic preservation of historic trees, specifically investigating the 600-year-old "Dedek" Oak in Maksimir Park, Croatia. The research aims to contribute to the conservation of Croatia's natural heritage and underscore the potential of hyperspectral imaging in tree preservation. The Croatian Forest Research Institute has been actively involved in preserving the pedunculate oak trees, recognizing their cultural and ecological significance. Efforts have been made to cultivate seedlings from the original genetic material, thereby preventing the loss of valuable genes and ensuring their long-term preservation. Spectral signatures of "Dedek" Oak and its clones were captured using high-performance hyperspectral push broom cameras, including the HySpex VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384. Spectral camera scanning was conducted in the field and laboratory. The comparative analysis of the spectral samples revealed unique characteristics and demonstrated the effectiveness of hyperspectral imaging in studying historic trees for preservation purposes. The spectral signatures of vegetation display dynamic characteristics in terms of spectral resolution. Collecting and documenting these signatures is considerably more challenging, and their integration into spectral libraries should be approached with careful consideration. There are several spectral libraries that are organized by chapters and consist of samples that have a sufficient number of analysis and documentation to determine the quality of the spectrum. In this study, spectral signatures of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) called Dedek and its clones were singled out. The objective of this research was to establish a foundation for a spectral library that would facilitate future research on the application of hyperspectral scanners for detecting protected tree species and their clones, all for the purpose of preservation of the genetic diversity of protected trees in Croatia. The findings of this research contribute to the conservation of Croatia's natural heritage by providing valuable insights into the genetic preservation of the 600-year-old "Dedek" Oak. Also, determining the spectral signatures of clones can help us with the identification of specific tree species (especially during aerial imaging, which is planned to be conducted in the future). In conclusion, this research showcases the importance of preserving historic trees and the potential of hyperspectral imaging as a valuable tool for genetic preservation efforts. The study's outcomes contribute to the long-term conservation of Croatia's natural heritage and provide a foundation for future research in the field of tree preservation and spectral library inception.