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Electric Resistance Tomograph (ERT): a review as non-destructive Tool (NDT) in deciphering interiors of standing trees

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Abstract

The Electric Resistance Tomograph (ERT) is a customized tree specific novel German-technology which was developed to monitor and estimate the tree growth development by looking into the inner structure of the tree to analyse the growth and health status. This technique contributes to detect and study the internal assembly of a tree for the mapping of decay, hollowness, and also to distinguish the sapwood and heartwood demarcation, this way of discovering the internal growth at an early stage, mainly for the timber trees which are economically important can help to regulate thereafter to check whether the growth is not hindered. This paper highlights the device operational methods, electric resistance testing of trees and its applications, also reviewed the various successful application of this equipment in various tree species through-out the world to estimate non-destructively for accurate quantification of standing trees. The performance of this instrument has created breakthrough among various studies and methodologies to spot the internal condition in a standing tree with less invasive ways.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Director, IWST for providing all necessary facilities for this study. Authors also express gratitude to Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), New Delhi for funding the project to write review.

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The authors have no financial funding to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Silviculture Forest Management Division, 560 003, Malleshwaram, Bangalore, India

    B. N. Divakara & S. Chaithra

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  1. B. N. Divakara
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  2. S. Chaithra
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Contributions

Basic idea and presentation of the paper along with substantial contribution in arranging information along with proof reading of the review article was carried out by BN Divakara (First author and corresponding author). Collected the information and related works of ERT applications in different tree species from all possible sources and preparation of review article was done by Chaithra S.

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Correspondence to B. N. Divakara.

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Divakara, B.N., Chaithra, S. Electric Resistance Tomograph (ERT): a review as non-destructive Tool (NDT) in deciphering interiors of standing trees. Sens Imaging 23, 18 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11220-022-00385-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11220-022-00385-3

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