DBS60 SDI-12 Band Dendrometer

The DBS60 is an SDI-12 Band Dendrometer designed to measure short- and long-term changes in stem circumference.

The DBS60 SDI-12 Band Dendrometer is similar to the DBL60, but has a cable for the connection to a SDI-12 Data Logger. Outputs:

• Change in Tree Circumference (mm)
• Temperature (°C)

Dendrometry Data

Stem diameter is one of the most commonly measured attributes of trees. Dendrometers are used to measure the diameter of fruits, plants and trees. High resolution dendrometers are used to monitor the diurnal swelling and shrinkage of stems. During the day stems “shrink” as stomata open and the tree transpires. At night the stem “swells” due to cessation of transpiration and trunk refilling of moisture.

Maximum Daily trunk Shrinkage (MDS), the calculated difference in daily minimum and maximum stem diameter, is a commonly used parameter in irrigation scheduling. Significant crop research has been undertaken in this field to explore the correlation of MDS to physiological and abiotic parameters including soil moisture and water potential, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and stem water potential.

Seasonal datasets can be used to compare fertilisation treatments, pruning, thinning or drought treatments. In forestry dendrometers are used for long term data collection in the study of growth dynamics, biomass allocation and carbon uptake. In horticulture Dendrometers are used to monitor MDS for irrigation management.

Band Dendrometers

Dendrometer bands are a long accepted and widely used method of measuring tree circumference and can provide changes in tree diameter at breast height (DBH), basal area, and basal area increment. The DBS60 Band Dendrometer is a high resolution (1μm [0.001mm]), non-invasive sensor capable of measuring a wide range of diameters (50mm>). The stainless-steel band has a very low linear thermal co-efficient. Thermal variations caused by daily or seasonal changes in temperature have no measurable impact on the measurement accuracy. The DBS60 is IP66 rated and is designed to be installed in the harshest field conditions for years at a time.

Utilising the DBS60 sensor in a custom IoT (Internet of Things) package

The base SNiP-DBS4 is a ‘Sensor Node Integrated Package’ that integrates 1 DBS60 Sensor (with modified fixing plate) to a site’s unique network, communication and power requirements so that the sensor can be permanently installed for real-time continuous monitoring of trunks with a minimum diameter of 40mm.

The base SNiP-DBS6 integrates 1 DBS60 Sensor for real-time continuous monitoring of trunks with a minimum diameter of 60mm.

The base SNiP-SPW1 is comprised of three sensors – 1 DBS60 Band Dendrometer, 1 Atmos-14 and 1 TEROS-21, with the option of being extended to support an additional sensor.

The base SNiP-SPW2 is comprised of three sensors – 1 DBS60 Band Dendrometer, 1 Atmos-14 and 1 EP100GL-08 EnviroPro (80cm Length), with the option of supporting an additional sensor.

The base SNiP-SPW3 is comprised of three sensors – 1 DBS60 Band Dendrometer, 1 Atmos-14 and 1 MP406 Soil Moisture Probe, with the option of supporting an additional sensor.