Smithsonian ForestGEO San Lorenzo and Panama Small Plots aerial photogrammetry orthomosaics and digital surface models for 2015-2024.

Data are available for download at: https://smithsonian.dataone.org/datasets/Panama_Forest_Drone_DatasetMetadata of the products comes as comma separated value file named metadata_all.csv , variables_description.csv and a README.txtThe Panama Forest Drone Dataset is a dataset part of an initiative focused on monitoring and understanding forest ecosystems in Panama through the use of drone technology. This project is led by Dr. Helene Muller-Landau at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, with the primary goal of capturing high-resolution imagery and comprehensive data across various forest study plots located in central Panama. The dataset is a part of an ongoing effort to document and analyze changes in forest conditions, contributing valuable insights into tropical forest dynamics.This extensive dataset covers nine macrosites, including well-known areas such as the Agua Salud Project, Parque Natural Metropolitano, Bosque Protector de Arraiján, Barro Colorado Natural Monument, Parque Nacional Soberanía, Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, Gamboa, San Lorenzo, and Santa Rita Colón. Within these macrosites, the dataset encompasses 38 individual plots, each representing distinct areas of interest. Data collection has been conducted over multiple dates, with a total of 84 drone flights contributing to the dataset, capturing critical information across these diverse landscapes.The data products available within this dataset include orthomosaics, digital surface models (DSMs), point clouds, raw images, and detailed processing reports. All these products are provided in the UTM Zone 17N coordinate reference system (EPSG: 32617).Orthomosaics and DSMs are available in GeoTIFF format, while point clouds are provided as LAS files in versions 1.2 and 1.4. The dataset primarily consists of RGB imagery, though flights in 2024 utilized a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Multispectral sensor, offering multispectral data alongside the standard RGB products.The drones used in this project include a variety of platforms, each equipped with specific sensors suited to the data collection needs. The DJI Phantom 4 Pro, denoted as P4P in the dataset, was frequently used, equipped with an FC6310 camera. Other platforms include the Solo 3DR, outfitted with a Peau Productions MAPIR sensor(SOLO) and a MAPIR Survey 2 sensor(SOLO2). The eBee SenseFly, which utilized both a S.O.D.A camera sensor and a SONY DSC-WX220 sensor, the latter referred to as EBEE2 in the dataset. The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (M3E), featured a M3M multispectral sensor. The Hobbyest drones doneted as DR1 carried a Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS.AcknoledgementsWe extend our sincere gratitude to Jonathan Dandois, Ryan Nolin, and Marino Ramirez for their exceptional work as drone pilots during the early flights. We also deeply appreciate the invaluable field support provided by Paulino Villarreal and Pablo Ramos. A special thanks goes to Milton Solano for his support as a GIS specialist.