Comparison of forest tree parameters extracted from uav optical and tls data in both tropical rain and temperate forests

Y. P. Mtui, J. Erdbrügger, Y. A. Hussin*, L. M. Van Leeuwen, E.H. Kloosterman, Mohd Hasmadi Ismail

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

There is a great need for a cost-effective and accurate method to assess the parameters for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB)/carbon stock, both in complex multi-layered tropical rain-forest and in temperate forests. The tree height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) are important forest parameters required as inputs for biomass estimation equation and can be obtained through various methods such as direct field measurement. However, measuring tree height and DBH by field surveying is time-consuming, limited to inaccessible areas and rather expensive. With the advancement of remote sensing technology, various datasets have been used to assess AGB including airborne LiDAR or sometimes called Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS) but this data is not always available and expensive to acquire for regular monitoring. The emergent of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) technologies, which operate from air and ground respectively, can provide accurate information of upper and lower canopy layers at a reasonable cost for regular monitoring of carbon stock. However, both are associated with the limitation of foliage coverage in the complex multi-layer tropical forest which can underestimate AGB when used separately. This study aimed at establishing a cost-effective method that ensures reasonable accuracy for regular assessment of tree parameters in tropical rain-forest and temperate forests for AGB/carbon estimation for REDD+ and its MRV system by complementing UAV imagery and TLS data. Furthermore, a comparison between the techniques and modeling approach in both the tropical and temperate forest are discussed. Moreover, a comparison is made of the effect of the structure and the condition of both tropical rain and temperate forests on the results extracted from UAV and TLS.

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017
Event38th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing 2017: Space Applications: Touching Human Lives - The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, India
Duration: 23 Oct 201727 Oct 2017
Conference number: 38
https://www.isro.gov.in/38th-asian-conference-remote-sensing
http://www.acrs2017.org/

Conference

Conference38th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing 2017
Abbreviated titleACRS 2017
Country/TerritoryIndia
CityNew Delhi
Period23/10/1727/10/17
Internet address

Keywords

  • AGB
  • Climate change
  • DBH
  • Drone images
  • Height
  • REDD+
  • TLS

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