In forestry accurate data is key to sustainable management and environmental conservation. With the evolution of drone technology, aerial LiDAR has emerged as an indispencible technology offering a precise way to gather important data. The DJI Matrice 350 RTK, paired with aerial LiDAR sensors like the DJI L2 and the GVI H800, opens new possibilities for managing forest resources. In this article, we'll explore five powerful applications of the Matrice 350 RTK in forestry management, showing how this technology is transforming forestry operations.
Canopy Height Models (CHM)
Understanding the structure of a forest canopy is useful for managing biodiversity, assessing tree health, and planning sustainable logging practices. The Matrice 350 RTK, equipped with a LiDAR sensor, allows you to create accurate Canopy Height Models (CHM) that detail the height and density of forest canopies. Unlike traditional methods, LiDAR captures a detailed three-dimensional view of the canopy, allowing forest managers to see the layers of foliage, branches, and gaps. This data helps in assessing habitat quality, monitoring forest growth, and planning interventions that balance ecological and economic requiremt
Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
Forestry professionals rely on elevation data to understand terrain characteristics that impact forest growth and management practices. Using aerial LiDAR data, you can generate high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEM) that reveal the natural landscape beneath the canopy. DEMs are critical for identifying drainage patterns, planning road construction, and predicting how water flows through a forested area. Elevation models also help in understanding soil erosion risks and optimizing reforestation efforts by pinpointing suitable planting sites. The precision of LiDAR-generated DEMs ensures that forest managers can make informed decisions for long-term sustainability.
Forest Biomass Estimation
Quantifying forest biomass is essential for understanding the role of forests in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. LiDAR technology enables accurate estimation of biomass by measuring tree heights, crown diameters, and trunk volumes. With aerial LiDAR solutions, you can quickly gather data across large forested areas, helping you calculate above-ground biomass. This is particularly valuable for carbon offset projects, where accurate data is needed to measure a forest's carbon capture capabilities. By leveraging LiDAR for biomass estimation, forestry managers can make better decisions around sustainable harvesting and forest conservation strategies.
In this video we go in-depth on biomass estimation and how you can combine aerial and terrestrial scans using both the Matrice, as well as GVIs handheld scanner the LiGrip H300.
Tree Segmentation and Forest Metrics
Tree segmentation with LiDAR provides a precise way to analyze and monitor individual trees within a forested area. In a case study conducted in Port Moody, British Columbia, Candrone used the LiDAR360 software to successfully segment trees using point cloud data captured by drone-mounted LiDAR. We were able to show you can classify individual trees and extract valuable metrics, such as tree height, crown diameter, and stem volume. This data supports various analyses, including:
- Elevation Metrics: Understanding tree heights across varied terrain.
- Intensity Metrics: Analyzing the reflectance of vegetation for insights into density.
- Canopy Cover: Measuring ground area covered by tree canopy, aiding in habitat assessments.
- Leaf Area Index (LAI): Estimating total leaf area to evaluate forest productivity.
- Gap Fraction: Identifying spaces in the canopy that indicate potential replanting areas.
Read more about this case study:
Product Recommendations:
The DJI L2 paired with the Matrice 350 RTK offers an affordable LiDAR solution ideal for entry-level forestry applications, providing a cost-effective way to gather essential data. For those requiring superior precision and extended range for large-scale forest analysis, the GVI H800 combined with the M350 is a premium option, delivering high-quality results for more demanding projects.
- LiDAR360 + Forestry Module: A powerful software suite for processing and analyzing forestry data. https://candrone.com/collections/buy-greenvalley-lidar360
- DJI M350 RTK: https://candrone.com/collections/buy-dji-matrice-350-rtk-drone/products/dji-matrice-350-rtk
- DJI L2: https://candrone.com/products/dji-zenmuse-l2-lidar
- GVI H800: https://candrone.com/collections/buy-greenvalley-lidar/products/greenvalley-liair-h800
