High‐quality image matching and automated generation of 3D tree models

Abstract

Image matching is a key procedure in the process of generation of Digital Surface Models (DSM). We have developed a new approach for image matching and the related software package. This technique has proved its good performance in many applications. Here, we demonstrate its use in 3D tree modelling. After a brief description of our image matching technique, we show results from analogue and digital aerial images and high‐resolution satellite images (IKONOS). In some cases, comparisons with manual measurements and/or airborne laser data have been performed. The evaluation of the results, qualitative and quantitative, indicate the very good performance of our matcher. Depending on the data acquisition parameters, the photogrammetric DSM can be denser than a DSM generated by laser, and its accuracy may be better than that from laser, as in these investigations. The tree canopy is well modelled, without smoothing of small details and avoiding the canopy penetration occurring with laser. Depending on the image scale, not only dense forest areas but also individual trees can be modelled.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, which provided the aerial images of the Neuchatel study area. We also acknowledge provision of the Ikonos images by Space Imaging USA and of the DMC images by the Ordnance Survey, UK and the Cartographic Institute of Catalunya, Spain.