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A Digital Twin Architecture for Forest Restoration: Integrating AI, IoT, and Blockchain for Smart Ecosystem Management

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  • Nophea Sasaki

    (Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Issei Abe

    (Faculty of Career Development, Kyoto Koka Women’s University, Kyoto 615-0882, Japan)

Abstract

Meeting global forest restoration targets by 2030 requires a transition from labor-intensive and opaque practices to scalable, intelligent, and verifiable systems. This paper introduces a cyber–physical digital twin architecture for forest restoration, structured across four layers: (i) a Physical Layer with drones and IoT-enabled sensors for in situ environmental monitoring; (ii) a Data Layer for secure and structured transmission of spatiotemporal data; (iii) an Intelligence Layer applying AI-driven modeling, simulation, and predictive analytics to forecast biomass, biodiversity, and risk; and (iv) an Application Layer providing stakeholder dashboards, milestone-based smart contracts, and automated climate finance flows. Evidence from Dronecoria, Flash Forest, and AirSeed Technologies shows that digital twins can reduce per-tree planting costs from USD 2.00–3.75 to USD 0.11–1.08, while enhancing accuracy, scalability, and community participation. The paper further outlines policy directions for integrating digital MRV systems into the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and Article 5 of the Paris Agreement. By embedding simulation, automation, and participatory finance into a unified ecosystem, digital twins offer a resilient, interoperable, and climate-aligned pathway for next-generation forest restoration.

Suggested Citation

  • Nophea Sasaki & Issei Abe, 2025. "A Digital Twin Architecture for Forest Restoration: Integrating AI, IoT, and Blockchain for Smart Ecosystem Management," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:421-:d:1750127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberto Toto & Jennifer Alix-García & Katharine R. E. Sims & Bruno Coutinho & Carlos Muñoz Brenes & Ludmila Pugliese & Alex Fernando Mendes, 2025. "Evidence on scaling forest restoration from the Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact in Brazil," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Brendan Mackey & Cyril F. Kormos & Heather Keith & William R. Moomaw & Richard A. Houghton & Russell A. Mittermeier & David Hole & Sonia Hugh, 2020. "Understanding the importance of primary tropical forest protection as a mitigation strategy," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 763-787, May.
    3. Nancy L. Harris & David A. Gibbs & Alessandro Baccini & Richard A. Birdsey & Sytze Bruin & Mary Farina & Lola Fatoyinbo & Matthew C. Hansen & Martin Herold & Richard A. Houghton & Peter V. Potapov & D, 2021. "Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(3), pages 234-240, March.
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