EarthCode
Non-Tag Tree Tracking for Carbon Markets
Non-Tag Tree Tracking for Carbon Markets
2024
Non-Tag Tree Tracking for Carbon Markets
Project Duration
Started in January 2024 · Ongoing
My Roles
Project Creator, Designer, Developer, Researcher
Additional Note
🏆 Awarded First Place in the 2024 Dezeen X Bentley
‘Start Something Powerful’ competition.
InnovationRCA's LaunchPad Programme 2024
Featured in international press,
including Dezeen and Bentley’s official channels.
2024 Royal College of Art Graduate Show
2024 Imperial College London Graduate Show
What if a forest could ID itself?
EarthCode tackles this question by creating a non-invasive, tag-free solution for tracking trees and verifying carbon credits. Developed as my thesis project for the MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering programme at the Royal College of Art & Imperial College London, EarthCode revolutionizes how forests are managed and monitored—without leaving a footprint.
Context
The Problem with
Traditional Tree Tracking
Traditional Tree Tracking
For decades, we’ve relied on invasive tags, nails, and markers onto trees, thinking we were doing right by nature. Millions of plastic and metal tags later, we’re left with forests cluttered by our well-intentioned waste.
Dendrometers and RFID nails are invasive and environmentally damaging, generating tons of CO₂ emissions. EarthCode’s non-invasive technology eliminates this impact, capturing tree data without leaving a trace.
Inspired by Tradition
Reviving Ancient Wisdom
with Modern Tech
with Modern Tech
Inspired by the Sámi people's tradition of identifying trees through unique bark patterns, EarthCode revives and modernizes this practice with technology.
Each tree tells a unique story through its bark. These textures hold the key to sustainable tracking.
Transforming the natural patterns of tree bark into a digital ‘Bark-Code’—a secure and unique identifier.
A single scan of a tree’s bark section generates the entire ‘Bark-Code,’ making tracking fast and efficient.
EarthCode encodes tree structures through a scanning process that maps form and patterns in a donut shape, aligning cells to track both stable IDs and adaptive traits like seasonal shifts or pest impact.
Challenge
Barriers for Small Forest Owners
Small forest owners want to join the carbon offset market, but traditional methods are expensive, complicated, and invasive.
In Evo, Finland, I learned traditional forest management techniques, leading to the development of EarthCode’s early stages.
Solution
EarthCode:
A Non-Invasive Answer
A Non-Invasive Answer
Simple and user-friendly—just stand and scan. The device captures all the necessary data.
Focused on accessibility for small owners to ensure effective and accurate tracking.
How It Works
Scan, Decode,
and Track Effortlessly
and Track Effortlessly
- Scan the bark.
- Get the data.
- Track everything: species, location, carbon storage, and even health.
A swift scan reveals each tree’s digital identity, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
Process
From Concept to Field-
Ready Device
Ready Device
From basic sensors to refined prototypes—testing directly in the forest.
Soft, ergonomic design for easy handling. A sleek cylindrical shape for portability.
Every component plays a crucial role, from LiDAR sensors to AI processing units.
Next Step
Scaling Up for
a Global Impact