Forest Stand Attribute Determination Using Laser and Image Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional forest inventory methods are costly and require a dense number of laser pulses for accurate determination of stand attributes, which is inefficient and expensive, especially in large forest areas.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines laser scanning with overlapping aerial or terrestrial images to densify point clouds, allowing for the identification of individual trees and groups of trees with a reduced number of laser pulses, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dense number of laser pulses is used for forest inventory, then measurement precision of stand attributes is improved, but cost and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines laser scanning data with aerial or satellite image data to create a hybrid dataset. The laser provides precise vertical structure information while the images provide contextual spatial information, allowing accurate stand attribute determination with reduced laser pulse density
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-source remote sensing data (laser + images) that can serve multiple functions: individual tree identification, stand boundary determination, and attribute estimation, replacing the need for dense laser coverage alone
2Measurement precision
If laser scanning alone is used for individual tree identification, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of laser pulses required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Aerial or satellite images serve as an intermediary data source that provides initial tree location and crown information. This intermediary layer guides the laser scanning process, allowing fewer laser pulses to be targeted at specific tree locations rather than requiring dense uniform coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Aerial or satellite images are processed first to identify potential tree locations and crowns before laser scanning. This preliminary action allows the laser data to be focused on verifying and measuring specific identified targets rather than searching for trees in dense uniform coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides accurate stand attribute information with a significant reduction in laser pulse density, making it the most cost-effective remote sensing method for forest inventory, capable of producing volume estimations with an error of 10-20% in the northern coniferous forest zone and applicable in other forest types, while eliminating the need for sample plots.
Implementation Method 1
a point cloud with three-dimensional information about the target points and describing the stand is produced by means of a laser scanner
Implementation Method 2
overlapping images are produced by aerial or terrestrial photography
Data Source
AI summary
The method is for forest inventory and for determination of stand attributes. Stand information of trees, sample plots, stands and larger forest areas can be determined by measuring or deriving the most important attributes for individual trees. The method uses a laser scanner and overlapping images. A densification of the laser point clouds is performed and the achieved denser point clouds are used to identify individual trees and groups of trees. A computer program is used for performing the method.