ForestTrace

ForestTrace is an interactive web platform for monitoring boreal forest dynamics in northern Ontario, Canada. The application supports annual clearcut mapping, biomass visualization, and multi-sensor satellite analysis through a web-based geospatial interface.

Developed by the Remote Sensing Lab (RSL) at Saint Louis University, ForestTrace supports research and decision-making for forest stewardship, including Indigenous-led land management workflows.

Current Project Description

The platform currently provides:

• Clearcut detection and annual disturbance tracking (Wabigoon FMU and related regions)
• Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) visualization from remote sensing products
• Multi-year tiled map overlays (2015 to present for clearcut workflows)
• Interactive map exploration with module-based analysis panels

Primary datasets and analysis context include Landsat/Sentinel-derived products, HLS time series, SAR-assisted biomass workflows, and high-resolution imagery support for validation.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: React + Leaflet (client/)
• Backend: Node.js + Express (index.js)
• Mapping: Raster tile services, vector overlays, and custom analysis modules

Repository Structure

• client/: React application and map UI components
• client/public/tiles/: Static tile resources and map examples
• client/src/modules/: Analysis modules (Clearcut, Biomass, etc.)
• index.js: Express server for production build hosting
• Python/Node helper scripts at repo root: tile generation, reorganization, and validation utilities

Getting Started

1) Install dependencies

From the repository root:

npm install
cd client
npm install

2) Run the frontend (development)

From client/:

npm start

The app runs on http://localhost:3000 by default.

3) Run the Node server (production-style serving)

Build the React app first:

cd client
npm run build

Then run the server from repository root:

node index.js

License

This project is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license.

• Full license text: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode
• Local license file: LICENSE

Summary

• You may share and adapt the material.
• You must provide attribution.
• Commercial use is not permitted without additional permission.

For permissions beyond this license (including commercial use), contact the Remote Sensing Lab at Saint Louis University.