scholarly journals Suitability of Airborne and Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Mapping Tree Crop Structural Metrics for Improved Orchard Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Kasper Johansen ◽  
Stuart Phinn ◽  
Andrew Robson
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Tree Structure ◽  
Crown Height ◽  
Crown Area ◽  
Vertical Leaf ◽  
Fractional Cover ◽  
Crown Volume ◽  
Crown Structure

Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) systems are useful tools for deriving horticultural tree structure estimates. However, there are limited studies to guide growers and agronomists on different applications of the two technologies for horticultural tree crops, despite the importance of measuring tree structure for pruning practices, yield forecasting, tree condition assessment, irrigation and fertilization optimization. Here, we evaluated ALS data against near coincident TLS data in avocado, macadamia and mango orchards to demonstrate and assess their accuracies and potential application for mapping crown area, fractional cover, maximum crown height, and crown volume. ALS and TLS measurements were similar for crown area, fractional cover and maximum crown height (coefficient of determination (R2) ≥ 0.94, relative root mean square error (rRMSE) ≤ 4.47%). Due to the limited ability of ALS data to measure lower branches and within crown structure, crown volume estimates from ALS and TLS data were less correlated (R2 = 0.81, rRMSE = 42.66%) with the ALS data found to consistently underestimate crown volume. To illustrate the effects of different spatial resolution, capacity and coverage of ALS and TLS data, we also calculated leaf area, leaf area density and vertical leaf area profile from the TLS data, while canopy height, tree row dimensions and tree counts) at the orchard level were calculated from ALS data. Our results showed that ALS data have the ability to accurately measure horticultural crown structural parameters, which mainly rely on top of crown information, and measurements of hedgerow width, length and tree counts at the orchard scale is also achievable. While the use of TLS data to map crown structure can only cover a limited number of trees, the assessment of all crown strata is achievable, allowing measurements of crown volume, leaf area density and vertical leaf area profile to be derived for individual trees. This study provides information for growers and horticultural industries on the capacities and achievable mapping accuracies of standard ALS data for calculating crown structural attributes of horticultural tree crops.

scholarly journals Estimating Changes in Leaf Area, Leaf Area Density, and Vertical Leaf Area Profile for Mango, Avocado, and Macadamia Tree Crowns Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Stuart Phinn ◽  
Kasper Johansen ◽  
Andrew Robson ◽  
Jasmine Muir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Healthy Tree ◽  
Area Density ◽  
Tree Crowns ◽  
Vertical Leaf ◽  
Leaf Area Density ◽  
Mango Tree

Vegetation metrics, such as leaf area (LA), leaf area density (LAD), and vertical leaf area profile, are essential measures of tree-scale biophysical processes associated with photosynthetic capacity, and canopy geometry. However, there are limited published investigations of their use for horticultural tree crops. This study evaluated the ability of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for measuring LA, LAD, and vertical leaf area profile across two mango, macadamia and avocado trees using discrete return data from a RIEGL VZ-400 Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) system. These data were collected multiple times for individual trees to align with key growth stages, essential management practices, and following a severe storm. The first return of each laser pulse was extracted for each individual tree and classified as foliage or wood based on TLS point cloud geometry. LAD at a side length of 25 cm voxels, LA at the canopy level and vertical leaf area profile were calculated to analyse tree crown changes. These changes included: (1) pre-pruning vs. post-pruning for mango trees; (2) pre-pruning vs. post-pruning for macadamia trees; (3) pre-storm vs. post-storm for macadamia trees; and (4) tree leaf growth over a year for two young avocado trees. Decreases of 34.13 m2 and 8.34 m2 in LA of mango tree crowns occurred due to pruning. Pruning for the high vigour mango tree was mostly identified between 1.25 m and 3 m. Decreases of 38.03 m2 and 16.91 m2 in LA of a healthy and unhealthy macadamia tree occurred due to pruning. After flowering and spring flush of the same macadamia trees, storm effects caused a 9.65 m2 decrease in LA for the unhealthy tree, while an increase of 34.19 m2 occurred for the healthy tree. The tree height increased from 11.13 m to 11.66 m, and leaf loss was mainly observed between 1.5 m and 4.5 m for the unhealthy macadamia tree. Annual increases in LA of 82.59 m2 and 59.97 m2 were observed for two three-year-old avocado trees. Our results show that TLS is a useful tool to quantify changes in the LA, LAD, and vertical leaf area profiles of horticultural trees over time, which can be used as a general indicator of tree health, as well as assist growers with improved pruning, irrigation, and fertilisation application decisions.

Derivation, Validation, and Sensitivity Analysis of Terrestrial Laser Scanning-Based Leaf Area Index

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 719-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumei Li ◽  
Qinghua Guo ◽  
Shengli Tao ◽  
Guang Zheng ◽  
Kaiguang Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Area Index

Crown structure of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.): a non-causal proxy for mechanical–physical wood properties

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Rais ◽  
Martin Jacobs ◽  
Jan-Willem G. van de Kuilen ◽  
Hans Pretzsch
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Crown Volume ◽  
Crown Structure ◽  
Crown Morphology ◽  
Crown Projection Area

The current tendency towards the silvicultural promotion of mixed tree species has increased the variability in the crown structure within stands. This study shows how neighbouring trees can influence both the external crown features and internal wood properties of trees. Using terrestrial laser scanning, the crown features of 100 European beech trees, <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L., from pure beech stands and mixed stands of beech with Douglas fir, Norway spruce, sessile oak and Scots pine were recorded. After felling and sawing, the dynamic modulus of elasticity was determined on 1623 boards from the two lower 4.1-m logs. Significant differences were found between beech trees from pure stands and those from beech–pine mixed stands in terms of crown volume (415 m<sup>3</sup> vs 766 m<sup>3</sup>), crown ratio (50.0% vs 71.5%), crown projection ratio (0.182 m cm<sup>−1</sup> vs 0.253 m cm<sup>−1</sup>) and branch angle (30.7° vs 54.1°). Multiple regression mixed models revealed significant relationships between timber stiffness and crown volume (-1.7 N mm<sup>−2</sup> m<sup>−3</sup>), crown ratio (-28.4 N mm<sup>−2</sup> %<sup>−1</sup>) and crown projection area (-9835 N mm<sup>−2</sup> m<sup>−1</sup> cm). Thus, the crown morphology of broad-leaved species reflects the tree’s long-term competitive status and suggests indicators for the assessment of mechanical–physical wood properties.

scholarly journals Towards Tree Green Crown Volume: A Methodological Approach Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihui Zhu ◽  
Christoph Kleinn ◽  
Nils Nölke
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Convex Hulls ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Crown Volume ◽  
Matter Production

Crown volume is a tree attribute relevant in a number of contexts, including photosynthesis and matter production, storm resistance, shadowing of lower layers, habitat for various taxa. While commonly the total crown volume is being determined, for example by wrapping a convex hull around the crown, we present here a methodological approach towards assessing the tree green crown volume (TGCVol), the crown volume with a high density of foliage, which we derive by terrestrial laser scanning in a case study of solitary urban trees. Using the RGB information, we removed the hits on stem and branches within the tree crown and used the remaining leaf hits to determine TGCVol from k-means clustering and convex hulls for the resulting green 3D clusters. We derived a tree green crown volume index (TGCVI) relating the green crown volume to the total crown volume. This TGCVI is a measure of how much a crown is “filled with green” and scale-dependent (a function of specifications of the k-means clustering). Our study is a step towards a standardized assessment of tree green crown volume. We do also address a number of remaining methodological challenges.

scholarly journals Determining leaf area index and leafy tree roughness using terrestrial laser scanning

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Antonarakis ◽  
K. S. Richards ◽  
J. Brasington ◽  
E. Muller
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Area Index

scholarly journals Tree structure vs. height from terrestrial laser scanning and quantitative structure models

Silva Fennica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anssi Krooks ◽  
Sanna Kaasalainen ◽  
Ville Kankare ◽  
Marianna Joensuu ◽  
Pasi Raumonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Tree Structure ◽  
Quantitative Structure

scholarly journals Using terrestrial laser scanning to constrain forest ecosystem structure and functions in the Ecosystem Demography model (ED2.2)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Meunier ◽  
Sruthi M. Krishna Moorthy ◽  
Marc Peaucelle ◽  
Kim Calders ◽  
Louise Terryn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Area Index

Abstract. Terrestrial Biosphere Modeling (TBM) is an invaluable approach for studying plant-atmosphere interactions at multiple spatial and temporal scales, as well as the global change impacts on ecosystems. Yet, TBM projections suffer from large uncertainties that limit their usefulness. A large part of this uncertainty arises from the empirical allometric (size-tomass) relationships that are used to represent forest structure in TBMs. Forest structure actually drives a large part of TBM uncertainty as it regulates key processes such as the transfer of carbon, energy, and water between the land and atmosphere, but remains challenging to measure and reliably represent. The poor representation of forest structure in TBMs results in models that are able to reproduce observed land fluxes, but which fail to realistically represent carbon pools, forest composition, and demography. Recent advances in Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) techniques offer a huge opportunity to capture the three-dimensional structure of the ecosystem and transfer this information to TBMs in order to increase their accuracy. In this study, we quantified the impacts of integrating structural observations of individual trees (namely tree height, leaf area, woody biomass, and crown area) derived from TLS into the state-of-the-art Ecosystem Demography model (ED2.2) at a temperate forest site. We assessed the relative model sensitivity to initial conditions, allometric parameters, and canopy representation by changing them in turn from default configurations to site-specific, TLS-derived values. We show that forest demography and productivity as modelled by ED2.2 are sensitive to the imposed initial state, the model structural parameters, and the way canopy is represented. In particular, we show that: 1) the imposed openness of the canopy dramatically influenced the potential vegetation, the optimal ecosystem leaf area, and the vertical distribution of light in the forest, as simulated by ED2.2; 2) TLS-derived allometric parameters increased simulated leaf area index and aboveground biomass by 57 and 75 %, respectively; 3) the choice of model structure and allometric coefficient both significantly impacted the optimal set of parameters necessary to reproduce eddy covariance flux data.

scholarly journals Deriving Individual-Tree Biomass from Effective Crown Data Generated by Terrestrial Laser Scanning

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 2793
Author(s):  
Yujie Zheng ◽  
Weiwei Jia ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Xu Huang
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Biomass Estimation ◽  
Tree Biomass ◽  
Crown Height ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Cloud Data ◽  
Biomass Equations

Biomass reflects the state of forest management and is critical for assessing forest benefits and carbon storage. The effective crown is the region above the lower limit of the forest crown that includes the maximum vertical distribution density of branches and leaves; this component plays an important role in tree growth. Adding the effective crown to biomass equations can enhance the accuracy of the derived biomass. Six sample plots in a larch plantation (ranging in area from 0.06 ha to 0.12 ha and in number of trees from 63 to 96) at the Mengjiagang forest farm in Huanan County, Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, China, were analyzed in this study. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was used to obtain three-dimensional point cloud data on the trees, from which crown parameters at different heights were extracted. These parameters were used to determine the position of the effective crown. Moreover, effective crown parameters were added to biomass equations with tree height as the sole variable to improve the accuracy of the derived individual-tree biomass estimates. The results showed that the minimum crown contact height was very similar to the effective crown height, and an increase in model accuracy was apparent (with R a 2 increasing from 0.846 to 0.910 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) decreasing from 0.372 kg to 0.286 kg). The optimal model for deriving biomass included tree height, crown length from minimum contact height, crown height from minimum contact height, and crown surface area from minimum contact height. The novelty of the article is that it improves the fit of individual-tree biomass models by adding crown-related variables and investigates how the accuracy of biomass estimation can be enhanced by using remote sensing methods without obtaining diameter at breast height.

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