This thesis presents an overview of non-destructive methods for assessing the vitality and quality of living trees, with a focus on detecting internal defects in wood. In forests, especially in urban environments, accurate assessment of internal defects (such as rot and cavities) and tree vitality is essential for timely action and ensuring public safety. The study is based on a review of domestic and, primarily, international scientific literature that examines various assessment methods. The key literature search tools were Google Scholar and Research Gate, but also Science Direct and Web of Science databases. The reviewed methods include both invasive and non-invasive techniques such as acoustic tomography, electrical resistance measurement, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), microwave scanning, X-ray tomography, chlorophyll fluorescence, Shigometry, and refractometers. The analysis showed that each method contributes differently to the assessment of tree quality and vitality, they differ in reliability, sensitivity, and practical applicability. The most useful techniques are those that are fast, portable, and cost-effective, such as acoustic tomography and electrical resistance methods. More advanced and highly precise methods, like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray tomography, are more applicable research. A combination of multiple techniques is recommended for more reliable diagnostics, as no method is individually universally sufficient. By presenting existing tools for assessing tree quality and vitality, it aims to enhance understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
|
