Estimating and Modeling Structural Characteristics of Trees Within Aerial LiDAR Data PDF Download

Author: Vishnu Mahesh Vivek Nanda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Author: Shruthi Srinivasan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Accurate measures of forest structural parameters are essential to forest inventory and growth models, managing wildfires, and modeling of carbon cycle. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides accurate understory information rapidly through non-destructive methods. This study developed algorithms to extract individual tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown width in plots at Ecosystem Science and Management (ESSM) research area and Huntsville, Texas. Further, the influence of scan settings and processing choices on the accuracy of deriving tree measurements was also investigated. The study also developed models to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) and investigate different conceptual approaches to study tree level growth in forest structural parameters and AGB using multi-temporal TLS datasets. DBH was retrieved by cylinder fitting at different height bins. Individual trees were extracted from the TLS point cloud to determine tree heights and crown widths. The R-squared value ranged from 0.91 to 0.97 when field measured DBH was validated against TLS derived DBH using different methods. An accuracy of 92% was obtained for predicting tree heights. The R-squared value was 0.84 and RMSE was 1.08 m when TLS derived crown widths were validated using field measured crown widths. Examples of underestimations of field measured forest structural parameters due to tree shadowing have also been discussed in this study. Correction factors should be applied or multiple high resolution scans should be conducted to reduce the errors in estimation of forest structural parameters. TLS geometric and statistical parameters were derived for individual trees and used as explanatory variables to estimate AGB. An extensive literature review reveals that this is the first study to model the change in AGB using different innovative and conceptual approaches with multi-temporal TLS data. Tree level AGB growth was studied over a period of three years using three different approaches. Results showed that TLS derived geometric parameters were better correlated to field measured AGB. Promising results for AGB change were obtained using the direct modeling approach; hence forest growth could be studied independent of any field measurements when biomass models are available. However, the models could be improved by incorporating more trees with a wide range of DBH and tree heights. The results from this study will benefit foresters, planners, and other remote sensing studies from airborne and spaceborne platforms, for map upscaling, data fusion, or calibration purposes. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible from http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/151740

Author: Kaiguang Zhao
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) directly measures canopy vertical structures, and provides an effective remote sensing solution to accurate and spatiallyexplicit mapping of forest characteristics, such as canopy height and Leaf Area Index. However, many factors, such as large data volume and high costs for data acquisition, precludes the operational and practical use of most currently available LiDARs for frequent and large-scale mapping. At the same time, a growing need is arising for realtime remote sensing platforms, e.g., to provide timely information for urgent applications. This study aims to develop an airborne profiling LiDAR system, featured with on-the-fly data processing, for near real- or real- time forest inventory. The development of such a system involves implementing the on-board data processing and analysis as well as building useful regression-based models to relate LiDAR measurements with forest biophysical parameters. This work established a paradigm for an on-the-fly airborne profiling LiDAR system to inventory regional forest resources in real- or near real- time. The system was developed based on an existing portable airborne laser system (PALS) that has been previously assembled at NASA by Dr. Ross Nelson. Key issues in automating PALS as an on-the-fly system were addressed, including the design of an archetype for the system workflow, the development of efficient and robust algorithms for automatic data processing and analysis, the development of effective regression models to predict forest biophysical parameters from LiDAR measurements, and the implementation of an integrated software package to incorporate all the above development. This work exploited the untouched potential of airborne laser profilers for realtime forest inventory, and therefore, documented an initial step toward developing airborne-laser-based, on-the-fly, real-time, forest inventory systems. Results from this work demonstrated the utility and effectiveness of airborne scanning or profiling laser systems for remotely measuring various forest structural attributes at a range of scales, i.e., from individual tree, plot, stand and up to regional levels. The system not only provides a regional assessment tool, one that can be used to repeatedly, remotely measure hundreds or thousands of square kilometers with little/no analyst interaction or interpretation, but also serves as a paradigm for future efforts in building more advanced airborne laser systems such as real-time laser scanners.

Author: Margarita N. Favorskaya
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319523082
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 424

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This book presents the latest advances in remote-sensing and geographic information systems and applications. It is divided into four parts, focusing on Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Optical Measurements of Forests; Individual Tree Modelling; Landscape Scene Modelling; and Forest Eco-system Modelling. Given the scope of its coverage, the book offers a valuable resource for students, researchers, practitioners, and educators interested in remote sensing and geographic information systems and applications.

Author: William K. Smith
Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing
ISBN: 9780126528701
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 426

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Coniferous forests are among the most important of ecosystems. These forests are widespread and influence both the financial and biological health of our globe. This book focuses attention on conifers and how these trees acquire, allocate, and utilize the resources that sustain this crucial productivity. An international team of experts has surveyed and synthesized information from an expanding area of inquiry. The first half of the book describes how resources are acquired both by means of photosynthesis and through root systems. The latter half of the volume focuses upon how resources are stored and used. As conifers continue as a resource and ever increasingly important contributor to the regional and global environmental sustainability, this book will help establish how much sustainability can be expected and maintained.

Author: Nick Pears
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 144714063X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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3D Imaging, Analysis and Applications brings together core topics, both in terms of well-established fundamental techniques and the most promising recent techniques in the exciting field of 3D imaging and analysis. Many similar techniques are being used in a variety of subject areas and applications and the authors attempt to unify a range of related ideas. With contributions from high profile researchers and practitioners, the material presented is informative and authoritative and represents mainstream work and opinions within the community. Composed of three sections, the first examines 3D imaging and shape representation, the second, 3D shape analysis and processing, and the last section covers 3D imaging applications. Although 3D Imaging, Analysis and Applications is primarily a graduate text, aimed at masters-level and doctoral-level research students, much material is accessible to final-year undergraduate students. It will also serve as a reference text for professional academics, people working in commercial research and development labs and industrial practitioners.

Author: Lucinda A. McDade
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226039527
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 508

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Abiotic environment and ecosystem processes; The plant community: Composition, dynamics, and life-history processes; The animal community; Plant-animal interactions; La selva's human environment.

Author: Cloud Publications
Publisher: Cloud Publications
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 3465

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International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS (IJARSG, ISSN 2320 – 0243) is an open-access peer-reviewed scholarly journal publishes original research papers, reviews, case study, case reports, and methodology articles in all aspects of Remote Sensing and GIS including associated fields. This Journal commits to working for quality and transparency in its publishing by following standard Publication Ethics and Policies.

Author: Phil West
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540959661
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Forests must be measured, if they are to be managed and conserved properly. This book describes the principles of modern forest measurement, whether using simple, hand-held equipment or sophisticated satellite imagery. Written in a straightforward style, it will be understood by everyone who works with forests, from the professional forester to the layperson. It describes how and why forests are measured and the basis of the science behind the measurements taken.

Author: Kevin A. Meyer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Abstract: Chapter 1 Abstract Transpiration from forests contributes to both regional and global hydrological cycles. Rates of transpiration depend on a tree's physiology and its surrounding environmental factors. Many of these factors control water stress levels that in turn affect transpiration rates. By studying tree architecture and allometric relationships within that architecture, we can begin to quantify the 'pipe network' of a tree (i.e. its branching network). These relationships can produce parameters that define the hydrodynamic framework of a specific tree species. The framework can help further define the water stresses a tree experiences within its 'pipe network'. This information can be incorporated into hydrological models to enhance their predictive capabilities of forest-level transpiration. The models can consider changes in forest composition because each tree will have a different representative hydrodynamic framework. As forests change, the corresponding change in transpiration will be better incorporated into the models. Our results support that such hydrodynamic models can be developed. Virtual trees can be created that accurately depict a specific tree species. This is possible because many allometric relationships exist within a single tree, between trees of the same species, and between trees of different species. Chapter 2 Abstract Atmosphere-biosphere interactions involve exchanges of water, heat and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and forest ecosystems. This exchange is important in contributing to weather and climate change. Current land-surface models do not resolve the effects of canopy structure change or incorporate 'real' forest heterogeneity as input parameters. The primary goal of this work is to provide a remote-sensing-based method to determine forest structure at an individual-tree scale. This will be done by: (1) parameterization of empirical allometric relationships that govern the scaling of tree-crown hydraulic structure with tree size, species, and relative location in the canopy, and (2) tree-type classification of high-resolution airborne images combining visible and LIDAR. To determine allometric relationships, measurements of structural-hydraulic characteristics of trees, such as stem diameter and taper, branch diameter, splitting patterns, and leaf distribution were taken at existing experimental plots. 2010 census data containing tree species, location, and diameter at breast height (DBH) was obtained to provide additional forest composition information. Remote sensing data was provided by the National Agricultural Imagery Program. Aerial LIDAR data supplemented these images. Species-specific allometric equations were generated relating tree height and crown diameter to DBH, which will be input parameters to existing hydrological models. Using ENVI 4.5, an image analysis program, we will visually attempt to classify the heterogeneity of a forest. This will be coupled with the LIDAR data to provide additional classification schemes. The validity of our ENVI results will be compared to the 2010 census. Combining remote-sensing-determined composition with allometric relationships will allow simulations using new generation hydraulic models, which simulate water flow through the forest at the individual-tree scale and strengthen the predictive capabilities of existing hydrological models, and thus producing better predictions of atmosphere-biosphere interactions.