Tree species biomass and carbon stock measurement using ground based-LiDAR

Abstract

This study scrutinises the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to measure diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height at individual tree species level. LiDAR point cloud scans are collected from uniformly defined control points. The result of processed TLS data demonstrates the precise measurements of tree height and DBH by comparing it with field data (DBH, tree height, tree species and location). The average tree height and DBH obtained through TLS measurements were 9.44 m and 43.30 cm, respectively. A linear equation between TLS derived parameters and field measured values were established, which gave the coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.79 and 0.96 for tree height and DBH, respectively. Further, these parameters were used to calculate above ground biomass (AGB) for individual tree species by considering a non-destructive approach. The total AGB and carbon stock from 80 different trees are computed to be 49.601 and 22.320 tonnes, respectively.

Keywords:

• LiDAR
• forest parameters
• tree height
• diameter at breast height (DBH)
• girth at breast height
• above ground biomass
• carbon stock
• terrestrial laser scanning