3D LiDAR Data: A Promising Solution for Efficient Forestry Surveying

Forests, an integral part of our ecosystem, are invaluable in numerous ways. For example, providing habitats for diverse wildlife, contributing to carbon sequestration and soil stabilization. Research and development of digital technologies, particularly LiDAR, are revolutionizing the forestry sector and transforming the way humans interact with forests worldwide. Deforestation and forest degradation have become pressing issues, necessitating the adoption of sustainable approaches in the industry. As technology advances, experts are exploring innovative ways for LiDAR data acquisition to various forestry applications. In this blog, we will delve into these advancements and the significant impact they have already had on the forestry sector.

What Is LiDAR Data Acquisition with Mobile Scanners

Handheld or mounted LiDAR scanners effortlessly acquire data with high precision, making data acquisition across diverse terrains straightforward and efficient. This method, when combined with other technologies like UAV, provides accurate data quickly and efficiently, helping organizations in various sectors such as deforestation, forest planning, and wildfire prevention.

LiDAR technology, used for decades in forest ecology and management, generates high-resolution, 3D information about the forest structure. This technology, when harnessed by researchers, enables them to accurately measure tree height, canopy density, and ground cover. Furthermore, LiDAR helps researchers create precise digital terrain models, assess forest health, estimate biomass and carbon sequestration, and develop sustainable forest management strategies.

The handheld LiDAR scanner can quickly and accurately reconstruct the 3D model of an analyzed forest or orchard. This information, including branch information like typology, length, and number, can be utilized in artificial or natural forests and smart agricultural applications for orchard yield improvement. The versatility of this solution provides users with accurate data quickly and efficiently.

What Applications Does LiDAR Survey Have In Forestry?

Forestry surveys utilizing LiDAR technology offer a multitude of benefits, ranging from precision forestry and mapping to wildlife conservation and forest fire management.

In terms of precision forestry and mapping, LiDAR can rapidly assess the volume of cut down trees and compare it with predicted values, helping experts to identify discrepancies. Drone-mounted LiDAR scanners can also be used for powerline scanning, detecting tree canopy clashes, and assisting in forest planning and management. The capability of LiDAR to map digital elevation makes it suitable for topography purposes and documentation of complex forest environments.

LiDAR technology further plays a significant role in identifying individual trees and their positions, facilitating efficient forest management and easy tree counting in large areas. Moreover, it can be utilized to determine carbon absorption, allowing scientists to study individual stand attributes such as tree or crown diameter for a better understanding of carbon absorption properties.

In the context of wildlife conservation, post-processing LiDAR analysis can provide measurements ranging from biomass to dendrometric data of trees, assisting in assessing forest suitability for specific wildlife species and designing forest management strategies.

As the world combats climate change, foresters globally are employing aerial LiDAR technology to predict forest fire risks and monitor impacts. LiDAR data can map out and identify wood debris on the ground, which may serve as tinder for wildfires. Change over time can indicate previous fire paths.

Finally, LiDAR technology is instrumental in controlling deforestation by quickly assessing the volume of chopped down trees and comparing it to predicted volumes.

How Is LiDAR Survey Boosting the Efficiency for Forestry Sector?

Forests, being primarily rural spaces, often present uneven terrain and dense populations, posing challenges for accurate tree measurement and shadow-free surveys. Handheld LiDAR scanner, however, has revolutionized the forestry sector by capturing data up to 100m away from the scanner, usable as both handheld and mounted options, thereby facilitating surveys of hard-to-reach areas.

These mobile LiDAR systems offer significant time savings, transforming the forestry sector. Measuring and surveying an area can now be completed in just a few hours, not days, on site, allowing for quicker decision-making. Furthermore, with deep learning models and algorithms continuously refining, the LiDAR data becomes increasingly valuable over time.

FJD handheld LiDAR scanner provides an accessible solution by eliminating the need for GNSS. They can easily map inaccessible areas, like those deep within forests, without any difficulties. The FJD Trion Model allows for seamless merging of datasets, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the space.

Example of Handheld LiDAR Scanner in the Forestry Survey

The application of LiDAR technology in forestry has been nothing short of revolutionary. This case study delves into the multifaceted impact of utilizing LiDAR technology for forestry research. Initially hesitant about its potential, Prof.Strimbu, a biometrician, was converted to the beauty of LiDAR data that may not be immediately apparent to others.

Forest inventory, once a labor-intensive task, has become much more efficient with LiDAR technology. A single operator can now cover significantly more ground in a fraction of the time. The comprehensive census provided by LiDAR, capturing details of every tree, including the towering crown and small saplings, is a game-changer for forest management.

3D snapshots, which offer a more comprehensive description of the forest than one-dimensional data, serve as valuable resources for both current and future research. The wealth of data generated by LiDAR not only aids in decision-making but also provides valuable insights that can inform future exploration and research.

The transition to LiDAR technology has been a true game-changer for forestry. With its ability to provide a comprehensive and detailed understanding of forests, handheld LiDAR scanner has opened up entirely new possibilities for researchers and foresters alike.