Scotland is about to generate a new, high-resolution, whole-country LiDAR dataset that will provide unprecedented structural information on land cover and vegetation, collected on a four-year cycle and supported by complementary aerial photography. This national resource has clear potential to support plant health monitoring and risk assessment, but its practical applications, limitations, and implementation requirements for plant health purposes have not yet been systematically explored.

This project will evaluate how the forthcoming LiDAR dataset could be used to improve plant health outcomes in Scotland. It will identify and assess opportunities for applying LiDAR data to plant health challenges, including early detection of risks, monitoring vegetation change, and supporting surveillance and risk assessment activities. The project will examine the strengths and limitations of LiDAR for plant health investigations and explore how it can be combined with other remote sensing technologies, such as satellite- and drone-based data, to enhance insights. Technical, operational, and organisational barriers to effective use will also be identified, including data handling requirements and skills gaps.

Through expert engagement, targeted case studies, and a stakeholder workshop, the project will provide clear, evidence-based advice to support investment in tools and approaches that maximise plant health benefits from this national data resource.