Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration

Carbon credits play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by incentivizing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and providing a measurable way to balance carbon dioxide output, fostering sustainable environmental practices. However, conventional methods of measuring carbon credits are often...

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Main Authors: Suradet Tantrairatn, Auraluck Pichitkul, Nutchanan Petcharat, Pawarut Karaked, Atthaphon Ariyarit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:MethodsX
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000809
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author Suradet Tantrairatn
Auraluck Pichitkul
Nutchanan Petcharat
Pawarut Karaked
Atthaphon Ariyarit
author_facet Suradet Tantrairatn
Auraluck Pichitkul
Nutchanan Petcharat
Pawarut Karaked
Atthaphon Ariyarit
author_sort Suradet Tantrairatn
collection DOAJ
description Carbon credits play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by incentivizing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and providing a measurable way to balance carbon dioxide output, fostering sustainable environmental practices. However, conventional methods of measuring carbon credits are often time-consuming and lack accuracy. This research examines carbon credit measurement in a 40 × 40 m2 rubber forest, evaluating the effectiveness of LiDAR technology in measuring Tree Height (TH) and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) using a dataset of 100 samples. The method is as follows: • Three measurement methods were compared: conventional techniques using diameter tape and hypsometers, manual LiDAR measurements, and automated measurements using 3D Forest Inventory software with the CloudCompare plugin. • The Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for carbon sequestration was 4.276 % for manual LiDAR measurements and 6.901 % for the 3D Forest Inventory method. • Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values for carbon sequestration using LiDAR measurements were 33.492 kgCO2e, whereas RMSE values for the 3D Forest Inventory method were significantly higher. This indicates that manual LiDAR measurements are more accurate and consistent, while the higher RMSE in the 3D Forest Inventory method reflects greater variability and potential estimation errors.The findings suggest that LiDAR technology, particularly manual measurements, provides a reliable and efficient alternative for carbon sequestration assessments in forest management.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2215-0161
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-105b66f5a9244be1b6a0bb4f3077c8a82025-08-20T03:24:07ZengElsevierMethodsX2215-01612025-06-011410323710.1016/j.mex.2025.103237Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestrationSuradet Tantrairatn0Auraluck Pichitkul1Nutchanan Petcharat2Pawarut Karaked3Atthaphon Ariyarit4School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, 111, MahaWitthayalai Rd, Suranari, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, 111, MahaWitthayalai Rd, Suranari, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandInstitute of Research and Development, Suranaree University of Technology, Maha Witthayalai Rd, Suranari, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandInstitute of Research and Development, Suranaree University of Technology, Maha Witthayalai Rd, Suranari, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, 111, MahaWitthayalai Rd, Suranari, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand; Corresponding author.Carbon credits play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by incentivizing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and providing a measurable way to balance carbon dioxide output, fostering sustainable environmental practices. However, conventional methods of measuring carbon credits are often time-consuming and lack accuracy. This research examines carbon credit measurement in a 40 × 40 m2 rubber forest, evaluating the effectiveness of LiDAR technology in measuring Tree Height (TH) and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) using a dataset of 100 samples. The method is as follows: • Three measurement methods were compared: conventional techniques using diameter tape and hypsometers, manual LiDAR measurements, and automated measurements using 3D Forest Inventory software with the CloudCompare plugin. • The Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for carbon sequestration was 4.276 % for manual LiDAR measurements and 6.901 % for the 3D Forest Inventory method. • Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values for carbon sequestration using LiDAR measurements were 33.492 kgCO2e, whereas RMSE values for the 3D Forest Inventory method were significantly higher. This indicates that manual LiDAR measurements are more accurate and consistent, while the higher RMSE in the 3D Forest Inventory method reflects greater variability and potential estimation errors.The findings suggest that LiDAR technology, particularly manual measurements, provides a reliable and efficient alternative for carbon sequestration assessments in forest management.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000809Tree Metrics and Carbon Sequestration using LiDAR Technology
spellingShingle Suradet Tantrairatn
Auraluck Pichitkul
Nutchanan Petcharat
Pawarut Karaked
Atthaphon Ariyarit
Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
MethodsX
Tree Metrics and Carbon Sequestration using LiDAR Technology
title Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
title_full Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
title_fullStr Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
title_short Evaluating LiDAR technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
title_sort evaluating lidar technology for accurate measurement of tree metrics and carbon sequestration
topic Tree Metrics and Carbon Sequestration using LiDAR Technology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000809
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AT nutchananpetcharat evaluatinglidartechnologyforaccuratemeasurementoftreemetricsandcarbonsequestration
AT pawarutkaraked evaluatinglidartechnologyforaccuratemeasurementoftreemetricsandcarbonsequestration
AT atthaphonariyarit evaluatinglidartechnologyforaccuratemeasurementoftreemetricsandcarbonsequestration