Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning
Technological developments have allowed helicopter airborne laser scanning (HALS) to produce high-density point clouds below the forest canopy. We present a tree stem classification method that combines linear shape detection and model-based clustering, using four discrete methods to estimate stem d...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/2/229 |
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| author | Matthew J. Sumnall Ivan Raigosa-Garcia David R. Carter Timothy J. Albaugh Otávio C. Campoe Rafael A. Rubilar Bart Alexander Christopher W. Cohrs Rachel L. Cook |
| author_facet | Matthew J. Sumnall Ivan Raigosa-Garcia David R. Carter Timothy J. Albaugh Otávio C. Campoe Rafael A. Rubilar Bart Alexander Christopher W. Cohrs Rachel L. Cook |
| author_sort | Matthew J. Sumnall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Technological developments have allowed helicopter airborne laser scanning (HALS) to produce high-density point clouds below the forest canopy. We present a tree stem classification method that combines linear shape detection and model-based clustering, using four discrete methods to estimate stem diameter. Stem horizontal size was estimated every 25 cm below the living crown, and a cubic spline was used to estimate where there were gaps. Individual stem diameter at breast height (DBH) was estimated for 77% of field-measured trees. The root mean square error (RMSE) of DBH estimates was 7–12 cm using stem circle fitting. Adapting the approach to use an existing stem taper model reduced the RMSE of estimates (<1 cm). In contrast, estimates that were produced from a previously existing DBH estimation method (PREV) could be achieved for 100% of stems (DBH RMSE 6 cm), but only after location-specific error was corrected. The stem classification method required comparatively little development of statistical models to provide estimates, which ultimately had a similar level of accuracy (RMSE < 1 cm) to PREV. HALS datasets can measure broad-scale forest plantations and reduce field efforts and should be considered an important tool for aiding in inventory creation and decision-making within forest management. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-a79aa28989be41efbdd72c643beb40a02025-01-24T13:47:48ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-01-0117222910.3390/rs17020229Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser ScanningMatthew J. Sumnall0Ivan Raigosa-Garcia1David R. Carter2Timothy J. Albaugh3Otávio C. Campoe4Rafael A. Rubilar5Bart Alexander6Christopher W. Cohrs7Rachel L. Cook8Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USADepartment of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Campus Box 8008 Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Forestry, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USADepartment of Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-900, MG, BrazilCooperativa de Productividad Forestal, Departamento de Silvicultura, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Victoria 631, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4070386, ChileChem-Air, LLC., Shreveport, LA 71137, USAIndependent Researcher, Chinquapin, NC 28521, USADepartment of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Campus Box 8008 Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USATechnological developments have allowed helicopter airborne laser scanning (HALS) to produce high-density point clouds below the forest canopy. We present a tree stem classification method that combines linear shape detection and model-based clustering, using four discrete methods to estimate stem diameter. Stem horizontal size was estimated every 25 cm below the living crown, and a cubic spline was used to estimate where there were gaps. Individual stem diameter at breast height (DBH) was estimated for 77% of field-measured trees. The root mean square error (RMSE) of DBH estimates was 7–12 cm using stem circle fitting. Adapting the approach to use an existing stem taper model reduced the RMSE of estimates (<1 cm). In contrast, estimates that were produced from a previously existing DBH estimation method (PREV) could be achieved for 100% of stems (DBH RMSE 6 cm), but only after location-specific error was corrected. The stem classification method required comparatively little development of statistical models to provide estimates, which ultimately had a similar level of accuracy (RMSE < 1 cm) to PREV. HALS datasets can measure broad-scale forest plantations and reduce field efforts and should be considered an important tool for aiding in inventory creation and decision-making within forest management.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/2/229helicopterlidarstem detectionDBHloblolly pine |
| spellingShingle | Matthew J. Sumnall Ivan Raigosa-Garcia David R. Carter Timothy J. Albaugh Otávio C. Campoe Rafael A. Rubilar Bart Alexander Christopher W. Cohrs Rachel L. Cook Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning Remote Sensing helicopter lidar stem detection DBH loblolly pine |
| title | Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning |
| title_full | Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning |
| title_short | Assessing Methods to Measure Stem Diameter at Breast Height with High Pulse Density Helicopter Laser Scanning |
| title_sort | assessing methods to measure stem diameter at breast height with high pulse density helicopter laser scanning |
| topic | helicopter lidar stem detection DBH loblolly pine |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/2/229 |
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