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Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning to Measure Forest Inventory Parameters in a Mediterranean Coniferous Stand of Western Greece

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Abstract

Accurate estimates of forest inventory parameters are essential to assess the potential hazards of wildfire and obtain above-ground biomass and carbon sequestration data that help develop strategies for the sustainable management of forests. This study aims to assess the accuracy of estimation of forest inventory parameters, such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height, obtained using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) in a Mediterranean coniferous stand in western Greece. DBH values measured in the field were compared with those derived from a TLS using the Computree algorithm for automatic DBH detection, and resulted in a coefficient of determination (\(R^{2})\) that ranged from 0.75 to 0.96 at the plot level. The average \(R^{2}\) and RMSE values of 0.80 and 1.07 m, respectively, were obtained when comparing the tree heights recorded by TLS and field data. Finally, the feasibility of TLS to estimate total dry biomass was investigated by comparing the TLS-derived total dry biomass values with those derived from field estimates using an allometric equation. The average estimate of biomass per hectare according to the TLS inventory data was 373.17 Mg/ha while that from field observations was 366.82 Mg/ha. The results confirm that TLS can provide non-destructive, high-resolution and precise determination of forest inventory parameters. The outcomes of this research will help researchers to better comprehend deviations in the accuracy of forest inventory variable retrieval resulting from the variation in the processing parameters supplied and additionally boost decision-making in forest management.

Zusammenfassung

Einsatz von terrestrischem Laserscanning zur Bestimmung von Forstinventurparametern in einem mediterranen Kiefernwald im westlichen Griechenland. Eine genaue Abschätzung von Parametern der Waldinventur ist wichtig, um potenzielle Waldbrandgefahr zu erkennen oder Daten zur oberirdischen Biomasse und Kohlenstoffbindung zu erhalten. Diese sind wiederum bei der strategischen Planung für nachhaltiges Waldmanagement von Nutzen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Bewertung der Genauigkeit von aus terrestrischem Laserscanning (TLS) abgeleiteten Waldparametern Brusthöhendurchmesser (DBH) und Baumhöhe. Dazu wurde eine Studie in einem Koniferenschlag im Mittelmeerraum, Westgriechenland, durchgeführt. Zur automatisierten Ableitung des TLS-basierten DBH wurde der Computree-Algorithmus verwendet. Im statistischen Vergleich mit Feldmessungen des DBH wurden auf der Plot-Ebene Bestimmtheitsmaße zwischen 0,75 und 0,96 erreicht. Bei der Baumhöhenabschätzung mittels TLS wurden im Vergleich mit den Aufnahmen auf der Plot-Ebene Bestimmtheitsmaße von 0,8 und mittlere quadratische Abweichungen von 1,07 m ermittelt. Abschließend wurde untersucht, inwieweit sich Ableitungen der gesamten trockenen Biomasse eine allometrische Gleichung unterscheiden, wenn sie auf TLS-Ergebnisse oder Bodenmessungen angewendet werden. Es wurde mit 373,17 Mg/ha für TLS und 366,82 Mg/ha für Bodenmessungen nur eine geringe Abweichung zwischen den beiden Eingangsdaten zur Bestimmung der Biomasse festgestellt. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Eignung von TLS als Methode zur nicht-destruktiven, hoch-aufgelösten und genauen Bestimmung von Parametern der Waldinventur. Die Ergebnisse können zukünftigen Forschungsarbeiten zu einem besseren Verständnis von Abweichungen in der Genauigkeit bei der Nutzung von Eingabeparametern unterschiedlicher Herkunft dienen und Entscheidungsfindungen im Waldmanagement unterstützen.

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Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Mundus Intact Mobility Program 2015. We would also like to thank the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management in Mesolonghi, Greece, for assistance in the field data acquisition.

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  1. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, G. Seferi 2, 30100, Agrinio, Greece

    Suman Ghimire, Fotios Xystrakis & Nikos Koutsias

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  1. Suman Ghimire
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  2. Fotios Xystrakis
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  3. Nikos Koutsias
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Correspondence to Suman Ghimire.

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Ghimire, S., Xystrakis, F. & Koutsias, N. Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning to Measure Forest Inventory Parameters in a Mediterranean Coniferous Stand of Western Greece. PFG 85, 213–225 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-017-0024-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-017-0024-1

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