Application of GIS, Remote Sensing, IoT, and AI in Natural Resource Management

In the context of accelerating climate change and forest degradation, the application of digital technologies in forest resource management has become both an inevitable trend and an urgent necessity. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the integration of advanced technologies—namely Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—in forestry management, with a particular focus on practical applications in Vietnam and comparisons with global trends.

  Model for applied AI, IOT, GIS, RS

By synthesising theoretical frameworks and analysing real-world case studies, the article highlights the distinct roles each technology plays within the monitoring–forecasting–response–decision-making cycle. Specifically, GIS offers a spatial data infrastructure that supports multi-layered mapping and precise identification of hotspots, aiding in strategic planning and resource governance. Remote Sensing provides temporally continuous satellite imagery, enabling the detection of forest loss, vegetation health assessment, and ecosystem change monitoring. IoT facilitates real-time data collection from the field through wireless sensor networks, capturing information on microclimatic conditions such as humidity, temperature, and smoke—thus supporting early fire warnings and anomaly detection. AI functions as an intelligent engine for processing big data, capable of classifying satellite imagery, recognising patterns in visuals and audio, and modelling forest change scenarios based on socio-environmental factors.

Realtime model for temperature and water level

Alongside these promising applications, the article also addresses key implementation challenges in Vietnam. These include limitations in technological infrastructure and network connectivity in remote forest areas, a shortage of tech-savvy forestry professionals, difficulties in data standardisation and sharing, legal ambiguities surrounding digital evidence and privacy, and concerns over the long-term sustainability of smart systems due to high operational costs. In response, the study proposes a roadmap towards a fully digitised forestry sector—“Forestry 4.0”—that consolidates multi-technology platforms within a unified data ecosystem, calling for policy reform, capacity building, and enhanced international cooperation.

Setup the temperature and water level system

In conclusion, the article affirms that the synergistic integration of GIS, Remote Sensing, IoT, and AI not only enhances the efficiency of forest resource management, but also plays a pivotal role in fostering transparency, institutional innovation, and the sustainable development of Vietnam’s forestry sector in the digital age.

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Author: Võ Văn Trí

Email: pnkb.vovantri@gmail.com