Laser scanning for forest structure analysis

Coburn, Adam John (2014) Laser scanning for forest structure analysis. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

Terrestrial laser scanning is one of the most recent technological advancements within the spatial science industry. Its current use within the forest analysis field is limited.
Collecting data to create a forest inventory can be a long and strenuous process with current procedures relying on outdated and inefficient techniques. Terrestrial laser scanning is a technique that has the potential to greatly enhance this data collection process.
In this study, a forested area of 6700m2 in eastern Toowoomba has been scanned to extract tree height, diameter at breast height, basal area and volume. The same data has been collected using contemporary techniques so that terrestrial laser scanning's suitability can be assessed.
The measured components were compared and discrepancies were identified. When compared to traditional methods, laser scanning overestimated height by 0.196m (2.42%). Diameter at breast height, basal area and volume were all underestimated by 0.061m (13.33%), 0.044m2 (24.35%) and 0.374m3 (22.47%) respectively. The differences in height and diameter at breast height are acceptable. The differences in excess of 20%, namely basal area and volume, are unacceptable with further research required to identify both the cause and solution.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours), Surveying project
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Xiaoye Liu
Date Deposited: 16 Apr 2015 05:03
Last Modified: 18 Aug 2015 01:26
Uncontrolled Keywords: laser scanning; forest
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0909 Geomatic Engineering > 090906 Surveying (incl. Hydrographic Surveying)
07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0705 Forestry Sciences > 070504 Forestry Management and Environment
09 Engineering > 0909 Geomatic Engineering > 090905 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4013 Geomatic engineering > 401306 Surveying (incl. hydrographic surveying)
30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3007 Forestry sciences > 300707 Forestry management and environment
40 ENGINEERING > 4013 Geomatic engineering > 401304 Photogrammetry and remote sensing
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970109 Expanding Knowledge in Engineering
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/27098

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