scholarly journals Requirements for a global lidar system: spaceborne lidar with wall-to-wall coverage

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Hancock ◽  
Ciara McGrath ◽  
Christopher Lowe ◽  
Ian Davenport ◽  
Iain Woodhouse
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Lidar System ◽  
Continuous Map ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Readiness Level ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Global Coverage ◽  
The Cost

Lidar is the optimum technology for measuring bare-Earth elevation beneath, and the structure of, vegetation. Consequently, airborne laser scanning (ALS) is widely employed for use in a range of applications. However, ALS is not available globally nor frequently updated due to its high cost per unit area. Spaceborne lidar can map globally but energy requirements limit existing spaceborne lidars to sparse sampling missions, unsuitable for many common ALS applications. This paper derives the equations to calculate the coverage a lidar satellite could achieve for a given set of characteristics (released open-source), then uses a cloud map to determine the number of satellites needed to achieve continuous, global coverage within a certain time-frame. Using the characteristics of existing in-orbit technology, a single lidar satellite could have a continuous swath width of 300 m when producing a 30 m resolution map. Consequently, 12 satellites would be needed to produce a continuous map every 5 years, increasing to 418 satellites for 5 m resolution. Building 12 of the currently in-orbit lidar systems is likely to be prohibitively expensive and so the potential of technological developments to lower the cost of a global lidar system (GLS) are discussed. Once these technologies achieve a sufficient readiness level, a GLS could be cost-effectively realized.

scholarly journals Drone data for decision making in regeneration forests: from raw data to actionable insights

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Puliti ◽  
Aksel Granhus
Keyword(s):  
Data Analytics ◽  
Logistic Model ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Binary Classification ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Cost Models ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
The Cost

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric data and data analytics were used to model stand-level immediate tending need and cost in regeneration forests. Field reference data were used to train and validate a logistic model for the binary classification of immediate tending need and a multiple linear regression model to predict the cost to perform the tending operation. The performance of the models derived from UAV data was compared to models utilizing the following alternative data sources: airborne laser scanning data (ALS), prior inventory information (Prior), and the combination of UAV and Prior and ALS and Prior. The use of UAV and Prior data outperformed the remaining alternatives in terms of classification of tending needs, while UAV alone produced the most accurate cost models. Our results are encouraging for further use of UAVs in the operational management of regeneration forests and show that UAV data and data analytics are useful for deriving actionable insights.

Structure-level fuel load assessment in the wildland–urban interface: a fusion of airborne laser scanning and spectral remote-sensing methodologies

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas S. Skowronski ◽  
Scott Haag ◽  
Jim Trimble ◽  
Kenneth L. Clark ◽  
Michael R. Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Fuel Load ◽  
Spatial Averaging ◽  
Fuel Reduction ◽  
Wildland Urban Interface ◽  
Airborne Laser

Large-scale fuel assessments are useful for developing policy aimed at mitigating wildfires in the wildland–urban interface (WUI), while finer-scale characterisation is necessary for maximising the effectiveness of fuel reduction treatments and directing suppression activities. We developed and tested an objective, consistent approach for characterising hazardous fuels in the WUI at the scale of individual structures by integrating aerial photography, airborne laser scanning and cadastral datasets into a hazard assessment framework. This methodology is appropriate for informing zoning policy questions, targeting presuppression planning and fuel reduction treatments, and assisting in prioritising structure defence during suppression operations. Our results show increased variability in fuel loads with decreasing analysis unit area, indicating that fine-scale differences exist that may be omitted owing to spatial averaging when using a coarser, grid-based approach. Analyses using a local parcel database indicate that approximately 75% of the structures in this study have ownership of less than 50% of the 30 m buffer around their building, illustrating the complexity of multiple ownerships when attempting to manage fuels in the WUI. Our results suggest that our remote-sensing approach could augment, and potentially improve, ground-based survey approaches in the WUI.

scholarly journals UAV-BASED LIDAR HIGH-RESOLUTION SNOW DEPTH MAPPING IN THE SWISS ALPS: COMPARING FLAT AND STEEP FORESTS

2021 ◽  
Vol XLIII-B3-2021 ◽  
pp. 477-484
Author(s):  
K. Koutantou ◽  
G. Mazzotti ◽  
P. Brunner
Keyword(s):  
Optical Sensors ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
3D Registration ◽  
Lidar System ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Point To Point ◽  
Grid Level ◽  
Very High

Abstract. Snow depth mapping in Alpine forests is of high importance for hydrogeology, ecology, tourism, and natural hazards prevention. Different remote sensing approaches have been employed for the precise mapping of snow depth within forests. However, optical sensors cannot provide below-canopy information. While Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) systems have been used successfully in this context and allow obtaining data below canopies, the costs of acquisitions are very high, not allowing frequent data acquisitions. UAV-based Lidar technology potentially can provide the critical below-canopy information at lower cost and allows for frequent acquisitions.First attempts to employ a UAV-based Lidar system in forests have proven promising, but they are limited to flat forests and to grid-level snow depth calculations. In this study, we present UAV-based Lidar data of both flat and steep forests. Different Lidar processing workflows are analyzed and compared, and snow depth algorithms are used both at the point and the grid level. Whereas the UAV-Lidar system proved capable of mapping snow in both environments, the steep forests' data processing comes with greater challenges, especially for the 3D registration, ground classification, and point-to-point snow depth calculations.

scholarly journals Determining the volume of soil masses using different measurement techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 7-23
Author(s):  
Bogusława Kwoczyńska ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Relative Volume ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Volume Calculation ◽  
Level Measurement ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
The Cost

Calculating the volume for various types of surfaces and materials is important for many branches of engineering sciences. Correct volume calculation often has a significant impact on the cost and time of a given project. These type of calculations are already applied at the design level. Measurement of cubature is crucial, for example, in construction and mining. The paper presents an analysis of and calculation results for measuring the volume of soil masses using different measurement techniques, which include: LIDAR (in this case of terrestrial and airborne laser scanning), photos taken with the use of UAV and measurements in the GNSS method. The object of the study was an earth mound located in the Park Dębnicki in Kraków. Relative volume error has been calculated in relation to the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) method. For each of the tested methods, the error remained within the limits allowed by the standards and amounted to 0.2% for airborne laser scanning (ALS), 2.3% for photos obtained from UAVs and 3.4% for the GNNS-RTK method. The results of tests are presented in graphic and tabular forms. The obtained results were compared and the most advantageous measurement techniques to be used in determining the cubic capacity of this particular research object was indicated.

scholarly journals New Advances in Automated Urban Modelling from Airborne Laser Scanning Data

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Laefer ◽  
T. Hinks ◽  
H. Carr ◽  
L. Truong-Hong
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Urban Modelling

scholarly journals Archaeological Surveying of Subarctic and Arctic Landscapes: Comparing the Performance of Airborne Laser Scanning and Remote Sensing Image Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1917
Author(s):  
Alma Elizabeth Thuestad ◽  
Ole Risbøl ◽  
Jan Ingolf Kleppe ◽  
Stine Barlindhaug ◽  
Elin Rose Myrvoll
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Digital Terrain Model ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Remote Sensing Image ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Pros And Cons

What can remote sensing contribute to archaeological surveying in subarctic and arctic landscapes? The pros and cons of remote sensing data vary as do areas of utilization and methodological approaches. We assessed the applicability of remote sensing for archaeological surveying of northern landscapes using airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) and satellite and aerial images to map archaeological features as a basis for (a) assessing the pros and cons of the different approaches and (b) assessing the potential detection rate of remote sensing. Interpretation of images and a LiDAR-based bare-earth digital terrain model (DTM) was based on visual analyses aided by processing and visualizing techniques. 368 features were identified in the aerial images, 437 in the satellite images and 1186 in the DTM. LiDAR yielded the better result, especially for hunting pits. Image data proved suitable for dwellings and settlement sites. Feature characteristics proved a key factor for detectability, both in LiDAR and image data. This study has shown that LiDAR and remote sensing image data are highly applicable for archaeological surveying in northern landscapes. It showed that a multi-sensor approach contributes to high detection rates. Our results have improved the inventory of archaeological sites in a non-destructive and minimally invasive manner.

scholarly journals Airborne laser scanning reveals large tree trunks on forest floor

2021 ◽  
Vol 491 ◽  
pp. 119225
Author(s):  
Einari Heinaro ◽  
Topi Tanhuanpää ◽  
Tuomas Yrttimaa ◽  
Markus Holopainen ◽  
Mikko Vastaranta
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Large Tree ◽  
Airborne Laser

scholarly journals Estimation of Vegetation-Induced Flow Resistance for Hydraulic Computations Using Airborne Laser Scanning Data

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1864
Author(s):  
Peter Mewis
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Flow Resistance ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanning ◽  
Density Parameter ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Airborne Laser Scanner ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Bed Roughness ◽  
Available Information

The effect of vegetation in hydraulic computations can be significant. This effect is important for flood computations. Today, the necessary terrain information for flood computations is obtained by airborne laser scanning techniques. The quality and density of the airborne laser scanning information allows for more extensive use of these data in flow computations. In this paper, known methods are improved and combined into a new simple and objective procedure to estimate the hydraulic resistance of vegetation on the flow in the field. State-of-the-art airborne laser scanner information is explored to estimate the vegetation density. The laser scanning information provides the base for the calculation of the vegetation density parameter ωp using the Beer–Lambert law. In a second step, the vegetation density is employed in a flow model to appropriately account for vegetation resistance. The use of this vegetation parameter is superior to the common method of accounting for the vegetation resistance in the bed resistance parameter for bed roughness. The proposed procedure utilizes newly available information and is demonstrated in an example. The obtained values fit very well with the values obtained in the literature. Moreover, the obtained information is very detailed. In the results, the effect of vegetation is estimated objectively without the assignment of typical values. Moreover, a more structured flow field is computed with the flood around denser vegetation, such as groups of bushes. A further thorough study based on observed flow resistance is needed.

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