topic Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR in Data Management Questions

Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

KevinMyles — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:17:29 GMT

Hello,

Is there a relatively easy way to calculate timber volumes with LiDAR imagery?

So far I have determined the tree heights using the Bare Earth and All Returns tool in ENVI. I also have the math to average tree diameters (DBH). For this project I am just assuming that all trees are white spruce with heights from about 10-20 meters. So I haven't classified by type or anything. I know I could just find the area of the tree stands and run the calculations but that won't account for canopy volume or give me a count of the trees.

Any other ideas? Thanks!

Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

KevinMyles — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:46:12 GMT

This is just a quick student project showing the different uses of LiDAR.

I have the LiDAR imagery already. I am thinking of masking everything but the trees, then using classification to vector. Once in ArcMAP I would calculate the area and then run the tree height vs. diameter with it. I am making big assumptions and just assuming it is all one type.

Am I relatively on track?

Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

WesKing — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:29:47 GMT

Hi,
Have you seen this ESRI white paper? It's a suggested read for your project.

[URL="http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/lidar-analysis-forestry-10.pdf"]

Hope this helps. It's a great paper!!!

Wes

Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

KevinMyles — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:51:55 GMT

Thanks Wes, definitely useful for vegetation density.

Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

KevinMyles — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:36:17 GMT

A few links to other information that was helpful:

http://cears.fw.vt.edu/silviscan/presentations/Author66.pdf

http://park.itc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/joho/Omasa/479.pdf

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2009/864108/

http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_wo079/gtr_wo079_317.pdf

http://www.obt.inpe.br/BV/Remote%20Sensing%20of%20the%20Environment/Volume%2056%20Issue1%20April%201996/Estimatio%20of.pdf

Re: Calculate Timber Volume using LiDAR

JeffreyEvans — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:42:16 GMT

Take a look at these two papers for general background and a review. This is really not a question that can simply be answered on a forum. You need to perform a literature review to make some critical decision on what method is appropriate in relation to your specific question.

http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/1/4/776

http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/1/4/934