Precise FIA plot registration using field and dense LIDAR data

Abstract

Precise registration of forest inventory and analysis (FIA) plots is a prerequisite for an effective fusion of field data with ancillary spatial information, which is an approach commonly employed in the mapping of various forest parameters. Although the adoption of Global Positioning System technology has improved the precision of plot coordinates obtained during field visits, in many circumstances, the coordinate uncertainty of plot coordinates remains substantial. Because Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), an emerging remote sensing technology, in its discrete return form delivers three-dimensional data with centimeter precision, FIA field data registered to LIDAR data would yield exceedingly precise plot coordinates. In this study, a fully automated, three-dimensional variant of the world-view method is used to match individual trees, identified by processing dense (> 4 returns/square meter) LIDAR data, to trees tallied in 45 FIA-like plots, thus retrieving the coordinates of the plot center. Results indicate that this method yields precise plot registration in stands exhibiting local heterogeneity in forest structure, performs better in coniferous rather than deciduous stands, and is robust against the tolerances embedded in tree location and height measurements obtained in the field.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the eighth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium

Citation

Gatziolis, Demetrios. 2009. Precise FIA plot registration using field and dense LIDAR data. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H., eds. Proceedings of the eighth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; 2006 October 16-19; Monterey, CA. Gen. Tech. Report WO-79. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 243-249.