Program, information processing apparatus, method, and system

Abstract

Accurately evaluate the reliability of the amount of forest credit. 【Solution means】A program for causing a computer including a processor and a memory to execute. The program causes the processor to perform steps of acquiring first image data of a first forest area and second image data of a second forest area, calculating a first vegetation index of the first forest area based on the first image data, and calculating a second vegetation index of the second forest area based on the second image data, selecting a second point within the second forest area where the transition of the second vegetation index approximates the transition of the first vegetation index at a first point, acquiring third image data regarding the first forest area and calculating a third vegetation index of the first point, and acquiring fourth image data regarding the second forest area and calculating a fourth vegetation index of the second point, and evaluating the reliability of the amount of forest credit based on the third vegetation index and the fourth vegetation index.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as part of activities to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, research and development of technologies related to forest credits have been actively carried out. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for analyzing image data of an inspection area to determine whether the inspection area is a forest area and whether the inspection area is a thinning area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention anything about the setting and verification of the baseline that serves as the calculation standard for the amount of forest credits. Therefore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in accurately evaluating the reliability of the amount of forest credits.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to accurately evaluate the reliability of the amount of forest credits.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer including a processor and a memory to execute. The program causes the processor to: acquire, for a past predetermined period, first image data of a first forest area that is a creation target of forest credits and second image data of a second forest area located around the first forest area, respectively; select an arbitrary point within the first forest area as a first point; calculate a first vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the first forest area based on the first image data for the past predetermined period, and calculate a second vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the second forest area based on the second image data for the past predetermined period; select a specific point within the second forest area as a second point, where the transition of the second vegetation index during the past predetermined period approximates the transition of the first vegetation index at the first point during the past predetermined period; calculate a third vegetation index of the first point each time third image data regarding the first forest area is periodically acquired from the start time of forest credit creation, and calculate a fourth vegetation index of the second point each time fourth image data regarding the second forest area is periodically acquired; and evaluate the reliability of the amount of forest credits created based on the periodically calculated third vegetation index and fourth vegetation index.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the reliability of the amount of forest credits can be accurately evaluated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for describing the embodiments, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Note that the following embodiments do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Also, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure. Also, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely.

[0010] 〔1 Summary〕 The system according to this embodiment acquires first image data regarding a first forest area that is a target for creating forest credits and second image data regarding a second forest area for a predetermined period in the past, respectively. The system according to this embodiment selects an arbitrary point within the first forest area as a first point. The system according to this embodiment calculates a first vegetation index for a predetermined period in the past in the first forest area based on the acquired first image data for the predetermined period in the past. The system according to this embodiment calculates a second vegetation index for a predetermined period in the past in the second forest area based on the acquired second image data for the predetermined period in the past. The system according to this embodiment selects a specific point within the second forest area as a second point, where the transition of the second vegetation index during the predetermined period in the past approximates the transition of the first vegetation index at the first point during the predetermined period in the past. The system according to this embodiment calculates a third vegetation index of the first point each time it periodically acquires third image data regarding the first forest area from the start point of creating forest credits. The system according to this embodiment calculates a fourth vegetation index of the second point each time it periodically acquires fourth image data regarding the second forest area from the start point of creating forest credits. The system according to this embodiment evaluates the reliability of the amount of forest credits created based on the periodically calculated third vegetation index and fourth vegetation index.

[0011] [2 Overall Configuration of the System] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the system 1. The system 1 is a system for providing a service (hereinafter, evaluation service) for evaluating the reliability of the amount of forest credits in the first forest area.

[0012] The first forest area is a forest area that is a target for creating forest credits. When applying to use the evaluation service, the user specifies the first forest area and applies to the management operator of the evaluation service. The user is, for example, a person in charge of a project (hereinafter, forest project) for the purpose of creating forest credits, the owner of the first forest area, etc.

[0013] The person in charge of the forest project, for example, is responsible for the management and operation of the forest project and also manages the owners of the forest areas participating in the project. In addition, persons with various backgrounds, such as managers of forestry-related enterprises, technicians or researchers with forestry expertise, and environmental protection experts, can become the person in charge of the forest project.

[0014] The amount of forest credits is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction certified as forest credits. The certification body for forest credits targeted by System 1 may be, for example, a public body such as a country or a local government, or a private certification body. Hereinafter, the amount of forest credits will be referred to as the "forest credit amount".

[0015] In this specification, the reliability of the forest credit amount is defined as "the amount of forest credits is truly generated by the greenhouse gas emissions reduction activities (e.g., the aforementioned forest project), and the reduction activities are actually verifiable and sustainable".

[0016] Also, in this specification, the viewpoints of additionality and setting a conservative and realistic baseline are used as the evaluation elements of reliability. Additionality means, for example, that the benefits of forest credits obtained through greenhouse gas emissions reduction activities enable the implementation of the reduction activities. Setting a conservative and realistic baseline means, for example, when setting the transition (baseline) of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction amount that serves as the evaluation criterion for the forest credit amount, avoiding overestimating the predicted reduction amount and setting values that enable a realistic and cautious evaluation.

[0017] In addition to the two evaluation factors described above, for example, at least one of sustainability and disclosure of information on credit activities may be an evaluation factor for reliability. Sustainability is, for example, the ability of greenhouse gas reduction activities to maintain the greenhouse gas reduction effect over a long period. Specifically, for example, when the reduction effect remains stable even after the reduction activities end and the greenhouse gas reduction is not lifted over time (e.g., the forest is logged, destroyed by fire or disease), the sustainability is evaluated as high. The disclosure of information on credit activities is to disclose various information on greenhouse gas reduction activities comprehensively and transparently, and also includes the disclosure of information on the activity results. Specifically, for example, it is required to disclose comprehensively and transparently information on the activity content, the calculation method of greenhouse gas emissions, the method and results of monitoring after the start of the activity, the results of verification of the reduction activities by a third-party institution, and risks and uncertainties such as natural disasters and illegal logging, etc.

[0018] In this embodiment, the amount of carbon dioxide absorption certified as forest credit is defined as the forest credit amount. Also, in this embodiment, the greenhouse gas reduction activities are assumed to be activities (including afforestation activities) for protecting and managing a predetermined forest area for the purpose of promoting carbon dioxide absorption by forests. That is, in this embodiment, the greenhouse gas reduction activities are assumed to be forest projects. Note that the certification target of forest credit evaluated by the system 1 may be greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide. Examples of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide that are the certification targets of forest credit include methane, nitrous oxide, black carbon, etc.

[0019] The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a terminal device 10, a server 20, and a satellite 30. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are communicatively connected via, for example, a network 80. The satellite 30 transmits various satellite data to a ground station (not shown), for example. The ground station is communicatively connected to the network 80 and, for example, receives a transmission request from the server 20 and transmits the satellite data to the server 20 via the network 80.

[0020] In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the system 1 includes one terminal device 10. However, for example, the system 1 may include two or more terminal devices 10. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the system 1 includes one server 20. However, for example, an aggregate of a plurality of devices may be regarded as one server 20. The way of distributing the plurality of functions required to implement the server 20 to one or more pieces of hardware can be appropriately determined according to the processing capabilities of each piece of hardware and / or the specifications required for the server 20, etc.

[0021] The terminal device 10 is, for example, an information processing device operated by a user. The terminal device 10 is realized by, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the terminal device 10 is a smartphone. The terminal device 10 may be realized by, for example, a stationary PC (Personal Computer), a laptop PC, or the like.

[0022] The terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, a memory 15, a storage 16, and a processor 19. The input device 13 is a device for receiving an input operation from a user (for example, a pointing device such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, etc., a keyboard, etc.). The output device 14 is a device for presenting information to the user (a display, a speaker, etc.). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the terminal device 10 includes a touch panel in which the input device 13 and the output device 14 are integrated.

[0023] The server 20 is, for example, an information processing device for managing and operating an evaluation service, and is an information processing device realized by a computer connected to the network 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the server 20 includes a communication IF 22, an input / output IF 23, a memory 25, a storage 26, and a processor 29. The input / output IF 23 functions as an interface for an input device for receiving an input operation from a management operator and an output device for outputting information to the management operator.

[0024] The artificial satellite 30 acquires, for example, a first satellite image, a second satellite image, a third satellite image, and a fourth satellite image as satellite data and transmits them to a ground station. The first satellite image is an example of first image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The second satellite image is an example of second image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The third satellite image is an example of third image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The fourth satellite image is an example of fourth image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0025] The first satellite image is a satellite image of a first forest area before the creation of forest credits. In the present embodiment, "before the creation of forest credits" refers to any period before the start of a forest project. The second satellite image is a satellite image of a second forest area before the creation of forest credits. The second forest area is a forest area surrounding the first forest area. Also, the second forest area is a forest area for setting a counterfactual virtual area (hereinafter, counterfactual area) that shows a transition of vegetation indices substantially the same as those of the first forest area when the forest project is not implemented. "The forest area surrounding the first forest area" is not a concept that refers only to the forest area adjacent to the first forest area, but includes, for example, a forest area included in an area within a radius of 100 km centered on a first point in the first forest area. Of course, "radius 100 km" is merely an example and can be appropriately changed according to the area of the first forest area and the like. Details of the vegetation index and the first point will be described later.

[0026] The third satellite image is a satellite image of the first forest area taken after the start of the creation of forest credits. In the present embodiment, "the start of the creation of forest credits" refers to the start of a forest project. The fourth satellite image is a satellite image of the second forest area taken after the start of the creation of forest credits.

[0027] In FIG. 1, an example in which the system 1 includes one artificial satellite 30 is shown. However, for example, the system 1 may include two or more artificial satellites 30. When two or more are included, the types of the artificial satellites 30 may be the same or different from each other.

[0028] In this embodiment, the artificial satellite 30 acquires SAR images or optical satellite images (visible light images, near-infrared images, etc.) as the first to fourth satellite images and transmits them to the server 20 via a ground station. The SAR image is a satellite image acquired by SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). That is, in this embodiment, the artificial satellite 30 is equipped with SAR. The artificial satellite 30 irradiates an object with microwaves (electromagnetic waves) from the SAR, and the SAR receives the reflected (backscattered) signal to acquire the SAR image.

[0029] Since the SAR image is generated using microwaves (electromagnetic waves), it can withstand sufficient use even if it is generated in bad weather or at night. Also, since the SAR image is generated based on synthetic aperture technology, it has high resolution and is useful for acquiring detailed information on the ground surface and water surface.

[0030] The vibration characteristics of the microwaves (electromagnetic waves) irradiated from the SAR to the object may be any of single polarization, dual polarization, or quad polarization. Also, the combination of the transmission polarization and the reception polarization can be arbitrarily set.

[0031] The server 20 acquires the SAR image in the file format of GRD (Ground Range Detected) or SLC (Single Look Complex) from the ground station, for example. However, the server 20 may acquire the SAR image in the file format of Polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) or HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format version 5) from the ground station, for example.

[0032] Note that the first to fourth satellite images transmitted by the artificial satellite 30 to the server 20 via the ground station are not limited to SAR images or optical satellite images. The artificial satellite 30 may transmit, for example, spectral satellite images, or topographic satellite images (DEM: Digital Elevation Model), etc. Further, for example, instead of the first to fourth satellite images, the aerial images of the first forest area and the aerial images of the second forest area captured by an aerial drone or helicopter capable of aerial photography may be transmitted to the server 20. In this case, the aforementioned drone or helicopter constitutes the system 1 in place of the artificial satellite 30. Further, in this case, the aerial image of the first forest area becomes an example of the first image data and the third image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and the aerial image of the second forest area becomes an example of the second image data and the fourth image data according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0033] Each information processing device such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20 is configured by a computer 90 (see FIG. 7) including an arithmetic device and a storage device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer 90 and each of the basic functional configurations of the computer 90 realized by the basic hardware configuration will be described later. Note that, for each of the terminal device 10 and the server 20, descriptions overlapping with the basic hardware configuration of the computer 90 and the basic functional configuration of the computer are omitted.

[0034] <2-1 Configuration of Terminal Device> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 120, an input device 13, an output device 14, an audio processing unit 170, a microphone 171, a speaker 172, a camera 160, a position information sensor 150, an acceleration sensor 155, a storage unit 180, and a control unit 190. Each block included in the terminal device 10 is electrically connected by, for example, a bus or the like.

[0035] The communication unit 120 performs processes such as modulation / demodulation processing for the terminal device 10 to communicate with an external device (for example, the server 20). The communication unit 120 performs transmission processing on the signal generated by the control unit 190 and transmits it to the external device. The communication unit 120 performs reception processing on the signal received from the external device and outputs it to the control unit 190.

[0036] The input device 13 is a device for the user to input instructions or information. The input device 13 is realized, for example, by a touch-sensitive device 131 into which an instruction is input by touching an operation surface. When the terminal device 10 is a PC or the like, the input device 13 may be realized by a reader, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The input device 13 converts the instruction input by the user into an electrical signal and outputs it to the control unit 190. Note that the input device 13 may include, for example, a reception port that receives an electrical signal input from an external input device.

[0037] The output device 14 is a device for presenting information to the user. The output device 14 is realized, for example, by a display 141. The display 141 displays various information according to the control of the control unit 190. The display 141 is realized, for example, by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0038] The audio processing unit 170 performs, for example, digital-to-analog conversion processing of an audio signal. The audio processing unit 170 converts the signal given from the microphone 171 into a digital signal and gives the converted signal to the control unit 190. Further, the audio processing unit 170 gives the audio signal to the speaker 172. The audio processing unit 170 is realized, for example, by a processor for audio processing. The microphone 171 receives an audio input and gives an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the audio processing unit 170. The speaker 172 converts the audio signal given from the audio processing unit 170 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0039] The camera 160 is an imaging device that captures images using visible light. That is, the camera 160 is a device that receives visible light by a light-receiving element and outputs image data as a shooting signal. The camera 160 captures a subject that is in a certain direction and within a certain shooting range with respect to the terminal device 10, and outputs image data as a shooting result. If the camera 160 has a function of adjusting the shooting range, more precisely the angle of view, the camera 160 also outputs information regarding this angle of view. Such a function is called a so-called zoom function.

[0040] The position information sensor 150 is a sensor that detects the position of the terminal device 10, and is generally a GNSS device, for example, a GPS module. The GPS module is a receiving device used in a satellite positioning system. In the satellite positioning system, signals from at least three or four satellites are received, and based on the received signals, the current position of the terminal device 10 on which the GPS module is mounted is detected as coordinate values. The position information sensor 150 may detect the current position of the terminal device 10 from the position of the radio base station to which the terminal device 10 is connected via the communication unit 120.

[0041] The acceleration sensor 155 is a sensor that detects the acceleration applied to the terminal device 10. Preferably, the acceleration sensor 155 has a function of detecting the inclination around each axis (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) of a three-dimensional coordinate system with the position of the terminal device 10 as the origin. The acceleration sensor 155 having such a function can detect the posture of the terminal device 10, that is, the direction with respect to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, by detecting the gravitational acceleration of the universal gravitation with respect to the earth.

[0042] The storage unit 180 is realized by the memory 15 and the storage 16 shown in FIG. 1, and stores data and programs used by the terminal device 10. The programs include application programs such as web browser applications.

[0043] The control unit 190 is realized, for example, by the processor 19 reading a program stored in the storage unit 180 and executing instructions included in the program. The control unit 190 controls the operation of the terminal device 10. By operating according to the read program, the control unit 190 exhibits each function as the operation reception unit 191, the transmission / reception unit 192, and the presentation control unit 193.

[0044] The operation reception unit 191 performs processing for receiving an instruction or information input from the input device 13. Specifically, the operation reception unit 191 receives an instruction or information input from the touch-sensitive device 131. The transmission / reception unit 192 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device according to a communication protocol. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 192 transmits an instruction or information input by the user to the server 20. The transmission / reception unit 192 receives information transmitted from the server 20. The presentation control unit 193 controls the output device 14 to present various information to the user.

[0045] <Configuration of Server> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 exhibits each function as the communication unit 201, the storage unit 202, and the control unit 203.

[0046] The communication unit 201 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with an external device (for example, the terminal device 10). The storage unit 202 is realized by the memory 25 and the storage 26, and stores data and programs used by the server 20. The programs include application programs such as a web browser application. The storage unit 202 stores, for example, a forest database 2021 and an app 2022.

[0047] The forest database 2021 is a table that stores the first satellite image, the second satellite image, the third satellite image, and the fourth satellite image, as well as the first filtering information and the second filtering information, etc. Details of the forest database 2021 will be described later.

[0048] The first filtering information is information indicating conditions for extracting an area suitable for creating forest credits from within the first forest area. Examples of the first filtering information include whether or not it is the same type of forest division as the forest division targeted for forest credit creation, and whether or not it corresponds to an administrative division designated by a country, a local public body, or the like. The "same type of forest division" includes the same type of forest division in a broad concept such as tropical forest, temperate forest, mangrove, or alpine forest, and also includes forest divisions with the same tree species. Whether or not it corresponds to an administrative division is defined according to the content of the forest credit, etc.

[0049] The second filtering information is information indicating conditions for extracting an area suitable for baseline setting from within the second forest area. Examples of the second filtering information include whether or not it is the same type of forest division as the forest division targeted for forest credit creation, whether or not it corresponds to an administrative division designated by a country, a local public body, or the like, and whether or not the distance from the first forest area is within a predetermined range (e.g., within a radius of 100 km). In the present embodiment, the second filtering information is treated as information different from the first filtering information, but the second filtering information may be completely the same as the first filtering information.

[0050] App 2022 is an application for managing the use of an evaluation service by a user. App 2022 is executed, for example, in the background of other applications installed on server 20, and monitors the processes executed by the user. The user can access App 2022 in server 20 by using the web browser application installed on terminal device 10.

[0051] Note that server 20 may, for example, grasp / manage the usage status of App 2022 and execute predetermined analysis processing. Also, for example, App 2022 may be installed on terminal device 10 and stored in storage unit 180.

[0052] The control unit 203 is realized by the processor 29 reading the program stored in the storage unit 202 and executing the instructions included in the program. The control unit 203 controls the operation of the server 20. By operating according to the read program, the control unit 203 exhibits the functions as the reception control module 2031, the transmission control module 2032, the presentation control module 2033, and the evaluation processing module 2034.

[0053] The reception control module 2031 controls the process in which the server 20 receives a signal from an external device according to a communication protocol. The reception control module 2031 receives, for example, the first filtering information and the second filtering information transmitted from the terminal device 10. Also, for example, the reception control module 2031 receives the first to fourth satellite images transmitted from the artificial satellite 30 via a ground station for a predetermined past period. Note that the first filtering information and the second filtering information may be directly uploaded to the server 20, for example.

[0054] The "predetermined past period" is specifically an arbitrary period in the past before the start point of the creation of forest credits, based on the start point of the creation of forest credits. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the past 10 years based on the start point of the forest project is set as the "predetermined past period", but it is not limited to this period.

[0055] For each of the first to fourth satellite images, the number of the predetermined past periods can be arbitrarily set. Also, during the predetermined past period, for how long the reception control module 2031 acquires each of the first to fourth satellite images and the first to fourth filtering information can also be arbitrarily set.

[0056] The transmission control module 2032 controls the process in which the server 20 transmits a signal to an external device according to a communication protocol. The presentation control module 2033 controls the process of presenting various information to the user.

[0057] The evaluation processing module 2034 selects an arbitrary point within the first forest area before the creation of forest credits as the first point. There is no particular limitation on the number of the first points, and only one location within the first forest area may be selected as the first point, or a plurality of locations within the first forest area may be selected as the first points.

[0058] Based on the first satellite images for a past predetermined period, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area. Further, based on the second satellite images for a past predetermined period, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the second vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the second forest area.

[0059] The first vegetation index is an index indicating the situation of forest biomass existing in the first forest area at the stage before the creation of forest credits. The second vegetation index is an index indicating the situation of forest biomass existing in the second forest area at the stage before the creation of forest credits. Examples of the first vegetation index and the second vegetation index include a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a backscattering coefficient, an estimated amount of forest biomass, and the like.

[0060] In the present embodiment, before calculating the first vegetation index, the evaluation processing module 2034 optimizes the first satellite image using the first filtering information. That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 extracts, using the first filtering information, an image portion (hereinafter, the first image portion) in which an area suitable for the creation of forest credits is imaged from the first satellite image. Further, before calculating the second vegetation index, the evaluation processing module 2034 optimizes the second satellite image using the second filtering information. That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 extracts, using the second filtering information, an image portion (hereinafter, the second image portion) in which an area suitable for the setting of a baseline is imaged from the second satellite image.

[0061] That is, in the present embodiment, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the first vegetation index based on the first image portion obtained by optimizing the first satellite image using the first filtering information. Further, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the second vegetation index based on the second image portion obtained by optimizing the second satellite image using the second filtering information. Note that the optimization of the satellite image using the filtering information is not an essential process.

[0062] Also, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the first vegetation index every time the first satellite image is received and calculates the second vegetation index every time the second satellite image is acquired. However, the evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, calculate the first vegetation index and the second vegetation index for the past predetermined period in a batch after receiving all of the first satellite images and the second satellite images for the past predetermined period.

[0063] Specifically, for example, when both the first satellite image and the second satellite image are optical satellite images, the evaluation processing module 2034 may calculate the NDVI as the first vegetation index and the second vegetation index. That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, acquire the reflectance (or radiation intensity) of the red band and the near-infrared band from each of the first image portion and the second image portion and calculate the NDVI of the first forest area and the NDVI of the second forest area by substituting them into the general calculation formula of the NDVI.

[0064] Also, for example, when both the first satellite image and the second satellite image are SAR images, the evaluation processing module 2034 may calculate the backscattering coefficient as the first vegetation index and the second vegetation index. That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, acquire the intensity image from each of the first image portion and the second image portion and convert the digital number of the intensity image into the backscattering coefficient.

[0065] For example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may input the first image portion into a pre-trained machine learning model (hereinafter abbreviated as the machine learning model) and output an estimated value of forest biomass as the first vegetation index from the machine learning model. The evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, input the second image portion into the machine learning model and output an estimated value of forest biomass as the second vegetation index from the machine learning model.

[0066] The machine learning model may be stored, for example, in the storage unit 202 or in an AI system (not shown). The machine learning model may be, for example, a regression model, or a neural network such as a convolutional neural network (CNN) or a recurrent neural network (RNN). The training data of the machine learning model may be composed of, for example, a satellite image of an arbitrary forest area and an actual measurement value of forest biomass existing in the arbitrary forest area. The number of machine learning models may be one or more. When multiple machine learning models are used, they may be of the same type or different types such as one being a neural network and the other being a multimodal generation AI model.

[0067] For another example, the machine learning model may be a multimodal generation AI model. When the machine learning model is a multimodal generation AI model, a prompt for instructing the output of the estimated value of forest biomass is also input into the machine learning model. The prompt may be hard-coded, for example, in a program stored in the storage unit 202. Also, for example, the prompt may be input into the multimodal generation AI model when an input device (not shown) provided in the server 20 accepts an input operation of the prompt. Also, for example, the prompt may be stored in advance in the storage unit 202.

[0068] Note that it is not essential to use a machine learning model to calculate the estimated amount of forest biomass. The evaluation processing module 2034 may calculate the estimated amount of each forest biomass by analyzing the first satellite image and the second satellite image using, for example, a rule-based analysis method using a known algorithm.

[0069] The evaluation processing module 2034 selects a specific point within the second forest area as the second point, where the change in the second vegetation index during a past predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the second change) approximates the change in the first vegetation index during the past predetermined period at the first point (hereinafter referred to as the first change).

[0070] The second point has technical significance as a base point for baseline setting. That is, by selecting the second point, the evaluation processing module 2034 satisfies various conditions included in the second filtering information and sets the forest area including the second point as a counterfactual virtual area.

[0071] Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 extracts the first vegetation index at the first point from each of the first vegetation indices for the past predetermined period in the first forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 grasps the first change, for example, by arranging each of the first vegetation indices for the past predetermined period at the first point in time series. The evaluation processing module 2034 grasps the second change at an arbitrary point, for example, by selecting an arbitrary point from the second forest area and performing the same processing as in the case of the first point.

[0072] The evaluation processing module 2034 determines whether the second transition at any grasped point approximates the first transition also grasped, for example, by comparing the second transition with the first transition. Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 selects a plurality of second forest areas. For example, for each of the selected plurality of second forest areas, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the difference between the transitions of each year constituting the second transition and the transitions of each year constituting the second transition, and then sums the squares of the differences for each year. For example, the evaluation processing module 2034 selects a predetermined number (which can be arbitrarily set) of second forest areas in ascending order of value from the second forest area with the smallest sum value. For example, the evaluation processing module 2034 finally designates the predetermined number of second forest areas selected as the second forest areas to be the selection targets for the second points.

[0073] That is, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 determines that the second transition approximates the first transition for the second forest areas from the second forest area with the smallest sum value until the predetermined number is reached in ascending order of value. Note that the method for determining whether the second transition approximates the first transition is not limited to the above example, and various methods can be adopted.

[0074] For example, when the evaluation processing module 2034 determines that they approximate, it selects any grasped point as the second point, and selects any other point from the second forest areas and executes the same processing as above. On the other hand, when it determines that they do not approximate, the evaluation processing module 2034, for example, selects any other point from the second forest areas and executes the same processing as above. The evaluation processing module 2034 selects one or more second points by repeatedly executing the above series of processes.

[0075] There is no particular limitation on how many times the evaluation processing module 2034 repeats the above series of processes. For example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may execute the above series of processes until the comparison between the first transition and the second transition is completed for all points within the second forest area. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may execute the above series of processes a predetermined number of times (which can be arbitrarily set). Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may execute the above series of processes for a predetermined area (which can be arbitrarily set) within the second forest area.

[0076] The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the third vegetation index of the first point every time it periodically acquires the third satellite image since the start of forest credit creation. Also, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the fourth vegetation index of the second point every time it periodically acquires the fourth satellite image since the start of forest credit creation.

[0077] There is no particular limitation on the timing at which the evaluation processing module 2034 periodically acquires the third satellite image and the fourth satellite image. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the evaluation processing module 2034 periodically acquires the third satellite image and the fourth satellite image once a year.

[0078] The third vegetation index is an index indicating the situation of forest biomass existing in the first forest area after the start of forest credit creation. The fourth vegetation index is an index indicating the situation of forest biomass existing in the second forest area after the start of forest credit creation. Specific examples of the third vegetation index and the fourth vegetation index are the same as the specific examples of the first vegetation index and the second vegetation index.

[0079] In this embodiment, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the third vegetation index of the first forest area based on the third satellite image, and then extracts the third vegetation index of the first point from among the third vegetation indices of the first forest area. Further, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the fourth vegetation index of the second forest area based on the fourth satellite image, and then extracts the fourth vegetation index of the second point from among the fourth vegetation indices of the second forest area. Here, the calculation methods of the third vegetation index of the first forest area and the fourth vegetation index of the second forest area are the same as the calculation methods of the first vegetation index of the first forest area and the second vegetation index of the second forest area. Also, in this embodiment, the evaluation processing module 2034 sets the transition of the fourth vegetation index as a baseline when arranging the fourth vegetation indices of the second point calculated periodically in time series. That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 sets the transition of the fourth vegetation index in the counterfactual virtual area as a baseline.

[0080] Based on the third vegetation index of the first point and the fourth vegetation index of the second point calculated periodically, the evaluation processing module 2034 evaluates the reliability of the created forest credit amount.

[0081] There is no particular limitation on the method for evaluating the reliability based on the third vegetation index and the fourth vegetation index. In this embodiment, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the increase amount of forest biomass by subtracting the amount of forest biomass existing in the second forest area (the amount at the time of calculating the fourth vegetation index) from the amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area (the amount at the time of calculating the third vegetation index). The amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area is stored in, for example, the forest database 2021. The amount of forest biomass existing in the second forest area is calculated or estimated based on, for example, the ratio between the third vegetation index and the fourth vegetation index, etc., based on the amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area. Note that in relation to the calculation of the increase amount of forest biomass, the timing of calculating the third vegetation index and the timing of calculating the fourth vegetation index are the same.

[0082] The evaluation processing module 2034 converts the calculated increase in forest biomass into forest credit volume, and compares the forest credit volume with a preset first reference value. The first reference value is a value serving as a criterion for whether the forest credit volume satisfies additionality to a certain extent, and can be arbitrarily set according to factors such as the strictness degree of reliability evaluation. The first reference value may be, for example, the issued forest credit volume grasped from a report submitted by a user. Since the higher the degree by which the comparison target value exceeds the first reference value, the higher the additionality, the evaluation processing module 2034 evaluates that the reliability is higher. On the other hand, since the lower the degree by which the comparison target value is below the first reference value, the lower the additionality, the evaluation processing module 2034 evaluates that the reliability is lower.

[0083] For example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may execute the above evaluation processing each time the third vegetation index at the first location and the fourth vegetation index at the second location are calculated. Also for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may execute the above evaluation processing in a batch after the process of periodically calculating the third vegetation index at the first location and the fourth vegetation index at the second location is completed. Also for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may comprehensively evaluate the reliability by comprehensively considering the evaluation results of all the evaluation processing executed periodically.

[0084] The amount of forest biomass used for calculating the comparison target value (the "amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area" described later) may be estimated, for example, based on measurement values obtained by the user directly measuring the diameter, height, etc. of trees on-site. Also for example, the amount of forest biomass used for calculating the comparison target value may be estimated based on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or satellite images. Also for example, the amount of forest biomass used for calculating the comparison target value may be estimated based on the above-described machine learning model.

[0085] 〔3 Data Structure〕 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table stored in server 20. Note that FIG. 4 is merely an example and does not exclude data not described. Also, even data described in the same table may be stored in separate storage areas in storage unit 202.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of forest database 2021. The forest database 2021 shown in FIG. 4 is a table having columns for first basic information, first location information, first important information, third important information, second basic information, second location information, second important information, fourth important information, and evaluation results, with forest ID as the key.

[0087] The item "forest ID" is an item that stores, for example, an identifier for uniquely identifying the first forest area. The item "first basic information" is an item that stores, for example, the basic information of the first forest area, first filtering information, and project information. The basic information of the first forest area includes, for example, the location information (latitude, longitude, administrative division, etc.) of the first forest area, the total area occupied by the forest, the types of trees, the distribution status of each tree species, the age composition and structure of the trees, the types and amounts of forest biomass, protected area information, logging history, etc. The project information is information related to the forest project and includes, for example, the implementing entity, participating entities, purpose, outline of the implementation content, and implementation period of the project.

[0088] The item "first location information" is an item that stores, for example, the basic information of the first location. The basic information of the first location includes, for example, the location information (latitude, longitude, etc.) of the first location, the total area occupied by the forest, the types of trees, the distribution status of each tree species, the age composition and structure of the trees, the types and amounts of forest biomass, logging history, etc.

[0089] The item "First important information" is an item that stores information on the first satellite images for a predetermined period in the past, and the first vegetation index for the first forest area for a predetermined period in the past. The information on the first satellite images may be, for example, numerical values indicating scattering characteristics obtained based on the first satellite images (SAR images). Also, for example, the information on the first satellite images may be reference information for the first satellite images (e.g., file path, URL, etc.). In this case, the first satellite images themselves may be stored in a separate storage area in the storage unit 202, such as a file system or cloud storage. In the example of FIG. 4, the item "First important information" stores reference information as the information on the first satellite images.

[0090] The item "Third important information" is an item that stores information on all the third satellite images acquired periodically, and the third vegetation index for all the first forest areas calculated periodically. Specific examples of the information on the third satellite images are the same as those of the first satellite images, for example.

[0091] The item "Second basic information" is an item that stores, for example, the basic information of the second forest area and the second filtering information. Specific examples of the basic information of the second forest area are the same as those of the first forest area, for example. The item "Second location information" is an item that stores the basic information of the second location, for example. Specific examples of the basic information of the second location are the same as those of the first location, for example.

[0092] The item "Second important information" is an item that stores information on the second satellite images for a predetermined period in the past, and the second vegetation index for the second forest area for a predetermined period in the past. Specific examples of the information on the second satellite images are the same as those of the information on the first satellite images, for example.

[0093] The item "Fourth important information" is an item that stores information on all the fourth satellite images acquired periodically, and the fourth vegetation index for all the second forest areas calculated periodically. Specific examples of the information on the fourth satellite images are the same as those of the first satellite images, for example.

[0094] The item "Evaluation Result" is an item for storing the reliability evaluation result by the server 20. There is no particular limitation on the form of the evaluation result stored in the item "Evaluation Result". The item "Evaluation Item" may store, for example, the individual evaluation results regularly evaluated by the server 20, or may store the result of further comprehensively evaluating the individual evaluation results. Also, for example, the item "Evaluation Item" may store the evaluation result in ranks such as "A, B, C,...", "1, 2, 3,...", "high, medium, low", or may store the numerical values such as "100 points, 70 points, 35 points,...". In the example of FIG. 4, the item "Evaluation Item" stores the result of comprehensive evaluation in five ranks of "A, B, C, D, E".

[0095] In the present embodiment, the basic information of each of the first forest area and the second forest area is stored in the corresponding item of the forest database 2021 when the server 20 receives this information transmitted from the terminal device 10. The basic information of the first forest area includes, for example, the basic information of the first location, and the basic information of the second forest area includes, for example, the basic information of the second location. Note that the server 20 may, for example, search a public database such as a forest register held by a local public body or a database based on NFI (National Forest Inventory) based on each basic information received from the terminal device 10, and store the obtained information in the corresponding item of the forest database 2021.

[0096] Also, the information regarding the first satellite image to the information regarding the fourth satellite image is stored in the corresponding item of the forest database 2021 when the server 20 receives the first satellite image to the fourth satellite image transmitted from the artificial satellite 30 via the ground station. Also, the first filtering information and the second filtering information are stored in the corresponding item when the server 20 receives this information transmitted from the terminal device 10. Also, the first vegetation index to the fourth vegetation index, and the evaluation result are sequentially accumulated in the corresponding item of the forest database 2021 by the evaluation processing module 2034.

[0097] 〔4 Operations〕 Referring to FIG. 5, an operation example of the server 20 when evaluating the reliability of the forest credit amount will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the server 20 when evaluating the reliability of the forest credit amount.

[0098] In step S11 shown in FIG. 5, the server 20 acquires each of the first satellite image and the second satellite image for a past predetermined period.

[0099] Specifically, for example, the operation reception unit 191 receives a transmission request for the first filtering information and the second filtering information from the user. The transmission / reception unit 192 transmits, for example, the first filtering information and the second filtering information to the server 20. The first filtering information and the second filtering information may be stored in the storage unit 180 in advance, or may be input by the operation reception unit 191 receiving an input operation from the user. The reception control module 2031 receives, for example, the first filtering information and the second filtering information transmitted from the terminal device 10 and stores these reference information in the forest database 2021.

[0100] The transmission control module 2032 transmits, for example, a transmission request for the first satellite image and the second satellite image for a past predetermined period to the ground station. The reception control module 2031 receives, for example, the first satellite image and the second satellite image for a past predetermined period from the ground station that has received the transmission request and stores these reference information in the forest database 2021.

[0101] Note that the operation reception unit 191 may receive, for example, requests for transmission of the basic information of each of the first forest area and the second forest area, as well as the project information, from the user. The transmission / reception unit 192 may transmit, for example, each piece of basic information and the project information to the server 20. Each piece of basic information and the project information may be stored in the storage unit 180 in advance, or may be input by the operation reception unit 191 receiving an input operation from the user. The reception control module 2031 may receive, for example, each piece of basic information and the project information transmitted from the terminal device 10 and store them in the forest database 2021.

[0102] In step S12, the server 20 selects an arbitrary point within the first forest area as the first point. Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 analyzes the acquired first satellite image and selects, as the first point, an arbitrary point that is determined to be preferable for the selection of the second point. The evaluation processing module 2034 extracts, for example, the basic information of the first point from the basic information of the first forest area by searching the forest database 2021 and stores it in the item "first point information".

[0103] In step S13, the server 20 calculates the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area based on the first satellite images for the past predetermined period. Also, the server 20 calculates the second vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the second forest area based on the second satellite images for the past predetermined period.

[0104] Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 reads out the first filtering information from the forest database 2021 and acquires the first image portion for the past predetermined period using the first filtering information. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates, for example, the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area using the first image portion for the past predetermined period. The evaluation processing module 2034 stores, for example, the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area in the forest database 2021.

[0105] The evaluation processing module 2034 reads out the second filtering information from, for example, the forest database 2021, and acquires a second image portion for a past predetermined period using the second filtering information. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates, for example, a second vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the second forest area using the second image portion for a past predetermined period. The evaluation processing module 2034 stores, for example, the second vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the second forest area in the forest database.

[0106] In step S14, a specific point within the second forest area where the second transition approximates the first transition is selected as the second point.

[0107] Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 extracts the first vegetation index at the first point from each of the first vegetation indices for a past predetermined period in the first forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 grasps the first transition, for example, by arranging in time series each of the first vegetation indices for a past predetermined period at the first point. The evaluation processing module 2034 selects an arbitrary point from within the second forest area and grasps the second transition at the arbitrary point by performing the same processing as in the case of the first point.

[0108] The evaluation processing module 2034 determines whether the second transition at any grasped point approximates the first transition grasped similarly by comparing the second transition at any grasped point with the first transition. For example, when it is determined that they approximate, the evaluation processing module 2034 selects an arbitrary point as the second point, selects another arbitrary point from the second forest area, and executes the same processing as described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not approximate, the evaluation processing module 2034 selects, for example, another arbitrary point from the second forest area and executes the same processing as described above. The evaluation processing module 2034 selects one or more second points by repeatedly executing the above series of processes. The evaluation processing module 2034 extracts the basic information of the second point from the basic information of the second forest area by searching, for example, the forest database 2021 and stores it in the item "second point information".

[0109] In step S15, every time the server 20 periodically acquires a third satellite image from the start time of the creation of forest credits, the server 20 calculates the third vegetation index of the first point. Further, every time the server 20 periodically acquires a fourth satellite image from the start time of the creation of forest credits, the server 20 calculates the fourth vegetation index of the second point.

[0110] Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the third vegetation index of the first forest area based on the third satellite image, and then extracts the third vegetation index of the first point from among the third vegetation indices of the first forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 stores, for example, all the third vegetation indices of the first forest area calculated periodically in the forest database 2021.

[0111] The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates, for example, the fourth vegetation index of the second forest area based on the fourth satellite image, and then extracts the fourth vegetation index of the second location from among the fourth vegetation indices of the second forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 sets, for example, the trend of the fourth vegetation index as a baseline when arranging in time series all the fourth vegetation indices of the second locations calculated regularly. The evaluation processing module 2034 stores, for example, all the fourth vegetation indices of the second forest areas calculated regularly in the forest database 2021.

[0112] The evaluation processing module 2034 generates, for example, a graph showing the first to fourth trends. The third trend is the trend of the third vegetation index when arranging in time series all the third vegetation indices of the first locations calculated regularly. The fourth trend is the trend of the fourth vegetation index when arranging in time series all the fourth vegetation indices of the second locations calculated regularly. That is, the fourth trend serves as the baseline.

[0113] The presentation control module 2033 controls, for example, the presentation control unit 193 to display a graph on the display 141. That is, the presentation control module 2033 transmits, for example, information for displaying the graph to the terminal device 10. The transmission / reception unit 192 receives, for example, information for displaying the graph from the server 20. The presentation control unit 193 displays a graph on the display 141 when receiving a presentation request from the user, for example.

[0114] Note that the presentation control module 2033 may present the graph to the management operator, for example. In this case, when receiving a presentation request from the management operator, the presentation control module 2033 may display the graph on a display (not shown) of an output device provided in the server 20.

[0115] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a screen example of the display 141 when presenting the first to fourth trends to the user will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a screen example of the display 141 when presenting the first to fourth trends to the user.

[0116] In the screen example of FIG. 6, a graph 1411 is displayed on the display 141. The vertical axis of the graph 1411 indicates the vegetation indices of the first point and the second point, and the horizontal axis indicates the number of years elapsed since the start of the forest project. That is, "0" on the horizontal axis represents the start time of the forest project.

[0117] In the region where the numerical value on the horizontal axis in the graph 1411 is negative, the first vegetation index 1412 of the first point and the second vegetation index 1413 of the second point are each plotted for a predetermined past period. As shown in FIG. 6, the first transition and the second transition are approximated to each other.

[0118] In the region where the numerical value on the horizontal axis in the graph 1411 is positive, all the third vegetation indices 1414 of the first point calculated periodically are plotted. Also, in the region where the numerical value on the horizontal axis in the graph 1411 is positive, all the fourth vegetation indices 1415 of the second point calculated periodically are plotted. In the screen example of FIG. 6, the fourth transition serves as the baseline 1416.

[0119] Note that the screen example of FIG. 6 is merely an example, and various variations are assumed for the display content and display mode of the graph 1411. Also, the process of presenting the graph 1411 to the user or the like is not an essential process.

[0120] In the example of FIG. 5, the server 20 executes the processes of step S14 and step S15 continuously, but it is not limited to this case. For example, the server 20 may execute the processes up to step S14 and the processes after step S15 separately.

[0121] In step S16, the server 20 evaluates the reliability of the created forest credit amount based on the third vegetation index of the first point and the fourth vegetation index of the second point calculated periodically.

[0122] Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates a comparison target value by multiplying the amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area by the value obtained by dividing the third vegetation index at the first location by the fourth vegetation index at the second location.

[0123] There are various variations regarding what data is used as the "amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area". For example, a plurality of first measured amounts described in a report on a forest project may be used as the "amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area". The first measured amount is the measured amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area at each calculation time point of a plurality of third vegetation indices calculated periodically. Information indicating the first measured amount is stored, for example, in the forest database 2021. In this case, the evaluation processing module 2034 directly multiplies, for example, the first measured amount indicated by the information read from the forest database 2021 by the ratio of the fourth vegetation index at the second location to the third vegetation index at the first location. The evaluation processing module 2034 performs this process, for example, for the first measured amounts corresponding to all of the plurality of third vegetation indices calculated periodically.

[0124] For example, a plurality of theoretical amounts calculated based on each of the plurality of second measured amounts described in the above-mentioned report may be used as the "amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area". The second measured amount is an example of the measured amount according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and is the measured amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area at each calculation time point of the first vegetation index for a past predetermined period. Information indicating the second measured amount is stored, for example, in the forest database 2021. In this case, the evaluation processing module 2034 reads, for example, information indicating the second measured amount from the forest database 2021. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates a theoretical amount, for example, by multiplying the second measured amount indicated by the read information by the ratio between the first vegetation index calculated at the calculation time point serving as the reference for the second measured amount and the third vegetation index. The theoretical amount in this case is specifically the theoretical amount at the calculation time point of the third vegetation index. Here, the second measured amount used for calculating the theoretical amount may be any calculation time point. That is, the second measured amount used for calculating the theoretical amount may be any second measured amount. The evaluation processing module 2034 multiplies, for example, the calculated theoretical amount by the value obtained by dividing the third vegetation index at the first location by the fourth vegetation index at the second location. The evaluation processing module 2034 performs, for example, this process for the second measured amounts corresponding to all of the plurality of first vegetation indices calculated in the past predetermined period.

[0125] For another example, the estimated amount of forest biomass obtained by inputting the third satellite image into the above-mentioned machine learning model may be used as the "amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area". In this case, the evaluation processing module 2034 inputs, for example, each of the third satellite images acquired periodically into the above-mentioned machine learning model, and causes the machine learning model to output a plurality of estimated amounts of forest biomass.

[0126] The evaluation processing module 2034 compares, for example, the calculated comparison target value with a preset first reference value. The evaluation processing module 2034 evaluates that the higher the degree to which the comparison target value exceeds the first reference value, the higher the reliability. On the other hand, the greater the degree to which the comparison target value is below the first reference value, the lower the reliability. The evaluation processing module 2034 stores, for example, the evaluation result in the forest database 2021.

[0127] In step S17, the server 20 presents the evaluation result to at least one of the user and the management operator. Specifically, for example, the presentation control module 2033 presents the evaluation result by the evaluation processing module 2034 to at least one of the user or the management operator.

[0128] When presenting the evaluation result to the user, the transmission control module 2032 transmits, for example, information for displaying the evaluation result to the terminal device 10. The transmission / reception unit 192 receives, for example, information for displaying the evaluation result from the server 20. The presentation control unit 193 causes the display 141 to display the evaluation result, for example, when receiving a presentation request from the user.

[0129] When presenting the evaluation result to the management operator, the presentation control module 2033 causes the evaluation result to be displayed on the display of the output device provided in the server 20, for example, when receiving a presentation request from the management operator.

[0130] Note that when the output device 14 and the output device of the server 20 are printers, the presentation control module 2033 may cause the paper medium on which the evaluation result is printed to be printed out from the output device 14 and the output device of the server 20. Also, the process in which the presentation control module 2033 presents the evaluation result to at least one of the user and the management operator is not an essential process.

[0131] 〔5 Brackets〕 As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmission control module 2032 transmits a transmission request for the first satellite image and the second satellite image for a past predetermined period to the ground station, triggered by the reception of the first filtering information and the second filtering information. The reception control module 2031 receives, for example, the first satellite image and the second satellite image for a past predetermined period from the ground station that has received the transmission request. The evaluation processing module 2034 analyzes the acquired first satellite image and selects an arbitrary point determined to be preferable for the selection of the second point as the first point. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the first vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the first forest area using the first satellite image optimized by the first filtering information. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the second vegetation index for a past predetermined period in the second forest area using the second satellite image optimized by the second filtering information. The evaluation processing module 2034 selects one or more second points by determining whether the second transition approximates the first transition by comparing the first transition and the second transition.

[0132] Also, in the present embodiment, the evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the third vegetation index of the first forest area based on the third satellite image, and then extracts the third vegetation index of the first point from among the third vegetation indices of the first forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates the fourth vegetation index of the second forest area based on the fourth satellite image, and then extracts the fourth vegetation index of the second point from among the fourth vegetation indices of the second forest area. The evaluation processing module 2034 calculates a comparison target value by multiplying the amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area by the value obtained by dividing the third vegetation index of the first point by the fourth vegetation index of the second point. The evaluation processing module 2034 evaluates the reliability of the forest credit amount by comparing the comparison target value with a preset first reference value.

[0133] As a result, the server 20 can select, as a second point, a point where it can obtain a second vegetation index whose second transition approximates the first transition. Therefore, when the transition of the fourth vegetation index (the fourth transition) at the second point is set as a baseline, this baseline will be approximately the same as the transition of the third vegetation index at the first point when the forest project is not implemented. Thus, according to the server 20, a conservative and realistic baseline can be set, and the reliability of the forest credit amount can be accurately evaluated.

[0134] In addition, since it is possible to set a conservative and realistic baseline, the accuracy of the predicted value of the profit obtained from forest credits, in other words, the accuracy of additionality, will also be higher. Also from this point, according to the server 20, the reliability of the forest credit amount can be accurately evaluated.

[0135] 〔6 Variation Example〕 In the evaluation service, the system 1 can provide various additional services that can ensure the reliability of the forest credit amount. Hereinafter, several examples of additional services that the system 1 can provide will be taken up and explained.

[0136] <6-1 First Variation Example> For example, the server 20 may determine whether there is a forest disappearance area in the first forest area and notify the user of the determination result. The forest disappearance area in the first variation example is an area in the first forest area where the forest disappeared due to logging or the like before the creation of forest credits, but the forest existed at the start time of the creation of forest credits.

[0137] First, the server 20 may acquire pre-creation image data and post-creation image data. The pre-creation image data is the image data of the first forest area at the first time point (any time point) before the creation of forest credits. The post-creation image data is the image data of the first forest area at the second time point (any time point) after the start time of the creation of forest credits. There is no particular limitation on the types of image data that can be used as the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data. The pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data may be, for example, satellite images or aerial images taken by a drone or the like. Also, there is no particular limitation on the respective numbers of the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data acquired by the server 20.

[0138] Specifically, for example, the input device provided in the server 20 may receive an operation for acquiring image data by a management operator. The evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, read and acquire the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data from an image database (not shown) by receiving the acquisition operation.

[0139] The image database may be stored, for example, in the storage unit 202 or may be managed by a management server or the like separate from the server 20. The image database may store, for example, reference information for the pre-creation image data and reference information for the post-creation image data. The reference information may be, for example, a file path or a URL. In this case, the pre-creation image data itself and the post-creation image data itself may be stored in a separate storage area in the storage unit 202, such as a file system or cloud storage.

[0140] Next, the server 20 may determine whether there is a forest disappearance area in the first forest area by analyzing the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data. Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may analyze the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data read from the image database to determine whether there is a forest disappearance area.

[0141] There is no particular limitation on the analysis methods for the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data by the evaluation processing module 2034. In the first modification example, it is assumed that the evaluation processing module 2034 analyzes these image data by the following method.

[0142] That is, the evaluation processing module 2034 may perform preprocessing on the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data read from the image database, for example. As preprocessing, the evaluation processing module 2034 may perform at least one or more correction processes such as atmospheric correction, geometric correction, or cloud mask correction. Note that preprocessing is not an essential process.

[0143] The evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, compare a plurality of pre-creation image data and a plurality of post-creation image data to execute time series analysis, and detect the difference between the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data. At the time of this difference detection, the evaluation processing module 2034 may use, for example, NDVI that can be calculated based on these image data. The evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, determine whether or not there is a forest disappearance area based on the detection result of the difference.

[0144] Note that the evaluation processing module 2034 may input the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data into a learned machine learning model such as a random forest, a support vector machine (SVM), or a convolutional neural network, and have the machine learning model predict the presence or absence of a forest disappearance area. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may cause the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data to be taken into a geographic information system (GIS) and have the geographic information system determine the presence or absence of a forest disappearance area.

[0145] Next, when the server 20 determines that there is a forest disappearance area in the first forest area, it may notify the user of the determination result. Specifically, for example, when the evaluation processing module 2034 determines that there is a forest disappearance area in the first forest area, it may control the presentation control unit 193 to display the determination result on the display 141. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may control the audio processing unit 170 to output an audio for notifying the determination result from the speaker 172.

[0146] Note that the evaluation processing module 2034 may notify the determination result to the management operator, for example. In this case, the evaluation processing module 2034 may display the determination result on the display of the output device provided in the server 20, for example. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may output the determination result as audio from the microphone (not shown) of the output device.

[0147] Thus, according to the first modification example, it is possible to notify the user that there was a forest disappearance area before the creation of forest credits. As a result, the user can grasp that the forest credits that would have been created originally (if there had been a forest in the disappearance area) were not created up to that amount, that is, the amount of forest credits has decreased compared to the original. Therefore, according to the first modification example, information regarding the forest project can be disclosed to the user comprehensively and transparently, and the reliability of the amount of forest credits can be evaluated more accurately.

[0148] <6-2 Second Modification Example> For example, when the ratio or area of the deforested area of the forest exceeds the reference value at the end of a predetermined period after the start of the forest project, the server 20 may notify the user of the result. Specifically, the "predetermined period after the start of the forest project" is a predetermined period after the start of the creation of forest credits. The predetermined period is an arbitrarily settable period. The deforested area in the second modification example is an area in the first forest area where there was a forest before the creation of forest credits, but the forest no longer exists due to logging or the like from any point after the start of the creation of forest credits.

[0149] First, the server 20 may periodically acquire monitoring image data during a predetermined period after the start of the forest project. The monitoring image data is image data of the first forest area captured during a predetermined period after the start of the forest project. There is no particular limitation on the type of image data that can be used as the monitoring image data. The monitoring image data may be, for example, a satellite image or an aerial image taken by a drone or the like. Also, there is no particular limitation on the number of monitoring image data acquired by the server 20, and there is no particular limitation on the timing at which the server 20 periodically acquires the monitoring image data.

[0150] Specifically, for example, the input device provided in the server 20 may receive an operation to start acquiring image data by the management operator. The reception control module 2031 may, for example, periodically acquire the monitoring image data by receiving the start acquisition operation. Also, for example, the reception control module 2031 may periodically acquire the monitoring image data by detecting that a predetermined timing (arbitrarily settable in advance) after the start of the forest project has arrived.

[0151] When the monitoring image data is satellite image data, the reception control module 2031 may obtain the monitoring image data from, for example, the artificial satellite 30 via a ground station. When the monitoring image data is aerial photography image data, the reception control module 2031 may obtain the monitoring image data from, for example, a drone or a helicopter.

[0152] The reception control module 2031 may store, for example, information on the monitoring image data obtained from the artificial satellite 30 or a drone or the like in an image database (not shown). The image database may be stored, for example, in the storage unit 202, or may be managed by a management server or the like separate from the server 20.

[0153] Next, the server 20 may analyze the periodically obtained monitoring image data and calculate the ratio or area of the forest disappearance area (hereinafter, disappearance ratio or disappearance area) in the first forest area at the end of a predetermined period. Specifically, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may analyze the monitoring image data obtained from the artificial satellite 30 or a drone or the like and calculate the disappearance ratio or disappearance area. The analysis method of the monitoring image data may be the same as each analysis method of the pre-creation image data and the post-creation image data in the first modification example.

[0154] Next, the server 20 may compare the calculated disappearance ratio or disappearance area with a reference value, and when the disappearance ratio or disappearance area exceeds the reference value, notify the user of the comparison result. Specifically, for example, when the evaluation processing module 2034 compares the calculated disappearance ratio or disappearance area with the reference value and the disappearance ratio or disappearance area exceeds the reference value, it may control the presentation control unit 193 to display a comparison result indicating that the reference value has been exceeded on the display 141. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may control the audio processing unit 170 to output an audio notifying the comparison result indicating that the reference value has been exceeded from the speaker 172.

[0155] The reference value is, for example, a value that can be arbitrarily set in advance, and may be determined according to where to set the allowable reduction amount of forest credits due to forest disappearance.

[0156] Note that the evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, notify the management operator of the comparison result. In this case, the evaluation processing module 2034 may, for example, display the comparison result on the display of the output device provided in the server 20. Also, for example, the evaluation processing module 2034 may output the comparison result as audio from a microphone (not shown) of the output device.

[0157] Also, for example, when the disappearance rate or disappearance area exceeds the reference value, the evaluation processing module 2034 may calculate an estimated reduction amount of forest credits based on the disappearance rate or disappearance area, and notify the user or management operator of the difference between the estimated value and the reference value. Thereby, the user or management operator can request the person who caused the forest disappearance to compensate for the profit that would have been obtained based on the difference.

[0158] Thus, according to the second modification example, it is possible to notify the user that the disappearance rate or disappearance area exceeds the reference value. Thereby, even if there are legitimate reasons such as logging based on appropriate reasons, the user can grasp that the forest credits that would have been created have not been created up to that amount, that is, they have decreased compared to the amount of forest credits considering legitimate reasons. Therefore, according to the second modification example, information regarding the forest project can be disclosed to the user comprehensively and transparently, and the reliability of the amount of forest credits can be evaluated with higher accuracy.

[0159] 〔7 Basic Hardware Configuration of Computer〕 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. The computer 90 includes at least a processor 901, a main memory device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and a communication IF 991 (Interface). These are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus 921.

[0160] The processor 901 is hardware for executing an instruction set described in a program. The processor 901 is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0161] The main memory device 902 is for temporarily storing a program and data processed by the program, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0162] The auxiliary storage device 903 is a storage device for storing data and programs. For example, it is a flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc.

[0163] The communication IF 991 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communicating with other computers via a network using wired or wireless communication standards.

[0164] The network is composed of various mobile communication systems constructed by the Internet, LAN, wireless base stations, etc. For example, the network includes 3G, 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) connectable to the Internet by a predetermined access point, etc. When connecting wirelessly, communication protocols such as Z-Wave (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. are included. When connecting wired, the network includes those directly connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc.

[0165] Note that all or part of each hardware configuration can be provided by being distributed among a plurality of computers 90 and connected to each other via a network, thereby virtually realizing the computer 90. In this way, the computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a single housing or a computer 90 housed in a case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0166] 〔Basic Functional Configuration of Computer 90〕 The functional configuration of the computer realized by the basic hardware configuration (FIG. 7) of the computer 90 will be described. The computer includes at least functional units of a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0167] Note that the functional units included in the computer 90 can also be realized by distributing all or part of each functional unit among a plurality of computers 90 interconnected by a network. The computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a single computer 90 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0168] The control unit is realized by the processor 901 reading out various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 and expanding them in the main storage device 902, and executing processing according to the programs. The control unit can realize a functional unit that performs various information processes according to the type of program. Thereby, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0169] The storage unit is realized by the main storage device 902 and the auxiliary storage device 903. The storage unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. Further, the processor 901 can secure a storage area corresponding to the storage unit in the main storage device 902 or the auxiliary storage device 903 according to a program. Also, the control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute processes of adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the storage unit according to various programs.

[0170] A database refers to a relational database, which is for managing a set of data called a master, in the form of a table structurally defined by rows and columns, by associating them with each other. In a database, a table is called a table, a master, a column of a table is called a column, and a row of a table is called a record. In a relational database, relationships between tables and masters can be set and associated.

[0171] Normally, each table and each master are set with a column that serves as a primary key for uniquely identifying a record, but setting a primary key for a column is not essential. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute adding, deleting, and updating records in a specific table and master stored in the storage unit according to various programs.

[0172] Also, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the storage unit, the information processing apparatus and information processing system according to the present disclosure can be regarded as being manufactured.

[0173] Note that the database and master in the present disclosure may include any data structure (such as a list, dictionary, associative array, object, etc.) in which information is structurally defined. The data structure shall also include data that can be regarded as a data structure by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc. described in any programming language.

[0174] The communication unit is realized by the communication IF 991. The communication unit realizes the function of communicating with another computer 90 via a network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from another computer 90 and input it to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute information processing on the received information according to various programs. Also, the communication unit can transmit the information output from the control unit to another computer 90.

[0175] In addition, some or all of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be implemented in hardware by designing them, for example, in an integrated circuit. Further, the present invention can also be realized by a program code of software that realizes the functions of the embodiments. In this case, a storage medium recording the program code is provided to a computer, and a processor included in the computer reads the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the same constitute the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, SSD, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. are used.

[0176] Also, the program code for realizing the functions described in this embodiment can be implemented in a wide range of programs or script languages such as assembler, C / C++, perl, Shell, PHP, Java (registered trademark), JavaScript, TypeScript, etc.

[0177] Furthermore, by distributing the program code of software that realizes the functions of the embodiments via a network, it can be stored in a storage means such as a hard disk or memory of a computer or a storage medium such as a CD-RW or CD-R, and a processor included in the computer reads and executes the program code stored in the storage means or the storage medium.

[0178] The functions realized by the components described in this specification may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry including a general-purpose processor, a specific-purpose processor, an integrated circuit, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is regarded as circuitry or processing circuitry. The processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0179] In this specification, circuitry, unit, and means are hardware programmed to realize the described functions or hardware that executes them. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed in this specification or any hardware known as being programmed or executing to realize the described functions.

[0180] When the hardware is a processor regarded as being of the circuitry type, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or the processor.

[0181] Some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. However, these embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are to be included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0182] 〔9 Supplementary Note〕 The matters described in each of the above embodiments are appended below.

[0183] <Appendix 1> A program for causing a computer including a processor and a memory to execute, the program causing the processor to: acquire, for each of the first image data of the first forest area that is the target for creating forest credits and the second image data of the second forest area located around the first forest area, the data for a past predetermined period; select an arbitrary point within the first forest area as the first point; calculate the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area based on the first image data for the past predetermined period, and calculate the second vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the second forest area based on the second image data for the past predetermined period; select a specific point within the second forest area as the second point, where the transition of the second vegetation index during the past predetermined period approximates the transition of the first vegetation index at the first point during the past predetermined period; calculate the third vegetation index of the first point each time the third image data regarding the first forest area is periodically acquired from the start time of creating forest credits, and calculate the fourth vegetation index of the second point each time the fourth image data regarding the second forest area is periodically acquired; and evaluate the reliability of the amount of created forest credits based on the periodically calculated third vegetation index and fourth vegetation index.

[0184] <Appendix 2> The program according to (Appendix 1), wherein in the evaluating step, an arbitrary measured amount is acquired from the measured amounts of forest biomass existing in the first forest area at each calculation time of the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period, and a theoretical amount is calculated by multiplying the acquired arbitrary measured amount by the ratio of the first vegetation index calculated at the calculation time serving as the reference for the arbitrary measured amount and the third vegetation index, and the reliability is evaluated based on the calculated theoretical amount.

[0185] <Appendix 3> In the evaluation step, the third image data obtained regularly is input into a trained machine learning model, the machine learning model is made to output an estimated amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area, and the reliability is evaluated based on the output estimated amount (Program described in Supplementary Note 1).

[0186] <Supplementary Note 4> For the first forest area, a step of acquiring the image data at the first time point before the creation of forest credits and the image data at the second time point after the start of the creation of forest credits, and a step of analyzing the image data at the first time point and the image data at the second time point to determine whether there was an area of forest disappearance in the first forest area before the creation of forest credits, and when it is determined that there was an area of disappearance, a step of notifying the user of the determination result. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, which further causes the processor to execute these steps.

[0187] <Supplementary Note 5> A step of regularly acquiring the image data of the first forest area captured during a predetermined period after the start of the creation of forest credits, a step of analyzing the regularly acquired image data of the first forest area to calculate the ratio or area of the forest disappearance area in the first forest area at the end of the predetermined period, and a step of comparing the calculated ratio or area with a reference value and notifying the user of the comparison result when the ratio or the area exceeds the reference value. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, which further causes the processor to execute these steps.

[0188] <Supplementary Note 6> An information processing apparatus including a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all the steps in the program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0189] <Supplementary Note 7> A method executed by a computer including a processor and a memory, wherein the processor executes all the steps in the program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0190] <Appendix 8> A system comprising means for executing all steps in the program described in any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 5).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0191] 1…System 10…Terminal device 120…Communication unit 13…Input device 14…Output device 15…Memory 16…Storage 19…Processor 20…Server 22…Communication IF 23…Input / Output IF 25…Memory 26…Storage 29…Processor 30…Artificial satellite

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer including a processor and a memory to execute, the program causes the processor to, acquire, for each of a past predetermined period, first image data of a first forest area that is a target for creating forest credits and second image data of a second forest area that is located around the first forest area and is a target for extracting an area suitable for setting a baseline that is a criterion for evaluating the amount of the forest credits; select an arbitrary point within the first forest area as a first point; calculate a first vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the first forest area based on the first image data for the past predetermined period, and calculate a second vegetation index for the past predetermined period in the second forest area based on the second image data for the past predetermined period; select a specific point within the second forest area, where the transition of the second vegetation index during the past predetermined period approximates the transition of the first vegetation index at the first point during the past predetermined period, as a second point that serves as a basis for setting the baseline; calculate a third vegetation index of the first point each time third image data regarding the first forest area is periodically acquired from the start time of creating the forest credits, and calculate a fourth vegetation index of the second point each time fourth image data regarding the second forest area is periodically acquired; execute steps of evaluating the reliability of the amount of the created forest credits based on the periodically calculated third vegetation index and fourth vegetation index, wherein in the evaluating step, the reliability is evaluated by setting, as the baseline, the transition of the fourth vegetation index when all the fourth vegetation indices of the second points calculated periodically are arranged in time series, the program.

2. In the evaluating step, acquire an arbitrary measured amount from among the measured amounts of forest biomass existing in the first forest area at each calculation time of the first vegetation index for the past predetermined period; calculate a theoretical amount by multiplying the acquired arbitrary measured amount by a ratio between the first vegetation index calculated at the calculation time serving as a reference for the arbitrary measured amount and the third vegetation index; The program according to claim 1, wherein the reliability is evaluated based on the calculated theoretical amount.

3. In the evaluating step, Input the periodically acquired third image data into a trained machine learning model, and cause the machine learning model to output an estimated amount of forest biomass existing in the first forest area. The program according to claim 1, wherein the reliability is evaluated based on the output estimated amount.

4. For the first forest area, a step of acquiring image data at a first time point before the creation of the forest credit and image data at a second time point after the start of the creation of the forest credit; A step of analyzing the image data at the first time point and the image data at the second time point to determine whether there was a disappearing area of the forest in the first forest area before the creation of the forest credit; The program according to claim 1, further causing the processor to execute a step of notifying the user of the determination result when it is determined that the disappearing area exists.

5. A step of periodically acquiring image data of the first forest area captured during a predetermined period after the start of the creation of the forest credit; A step of analyzing the periodically acquired image data of the first forest area to calculate the ratio or area of the disappearing area of the forest in the first forest area at the end of the predetermined period; The program according to claim 1, further causing the processor to execute a step of comparing the calculated ratio or area with a reference value and notifying the user of the comparison result when the ratio or the area exceeds the reference value.

6. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all steps in the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method executed by a computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor executes all steps in the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A system comprising means for executing all steps in the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images