In this blog post we will be looking at two of the four main graphical outputs that we produce following our Tree Root Radar Surveys. The first output is the top down root density map.
The Top Down Root Density Map is shown as a birds eye view of the scan area with the tree marked with a T in the centre and the Black lines are the scan lines. The different colours represent the amount of root detections across the whole scan area. Areas of higher density (12 detections per M²) appear in red, with areas of lower root density (0-2 detections per M²) appearing in blue. Detections refer to individual root detections and do not relate to root size or amount of root biomass, therefore it is typically expected to see higher densities further away from the tree.
The Second output that we are looking at in this post is the Top Down Root Detections Map – With depth overlay. As the above the layout of this graphic is the same, a birds eye view with scan lines centred around the tree.
The Top Down Root Detection Map plots the number and location of detected roots within each scan line. Each confirmed detection is marked with a line that dictates the estimated direction of the root relative to the other root markers.
The different colours on the Top Down Root Detection Map relate to the depths that each detection was made. In this case Blue is 0-25cm, Green is 25-45cm and Red is 45-75cm depth. These analysis zones are customisable based on the client’s requirements. The depth zones are incredibly useful in projects that require soil level changes or small incursions into the RPA such as lightwells.
In Part 2 of this Blog post we will be looking at the 2 remaining graphical outputs, 2D/3D root morphology maps and Trench View.
