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Talks and Poster Presentations (with Proceedings-Entry):

B. Höfle, M. Hollaus, H. Lehner, N. Pfeifer, W. Wagner:
"Area-based parameterization of forest structure using full-waveform airborne laser scanning data";
Talk: Silvilaser 2008, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2008-09-17 - 2008-09-19; in: "Proceedings of SilviLaser 2008 8th international conference on LiDAR applications in forest assessment and inventory", (2008), ISBN: 978-0-85538-774-7; 9 pages.



English abstract:
Small-footprint airborne laser scanning (ALS) is increasingly used in vegetation and forest
related applications. This paper explores the potential of full-waveform (FWF) ALS information
(i.e. echo width and backscatter cross section) for tree species classification and forest structure
parameterization. In order to obtain defined physical quantities, radiometric calibration of the
recorded FWF data is performed by using a natural radiometric reference target (asphalt road).
Based on a segmentation of the canopy surface, descriptive statistical values of laser echo
attributes are derived and attached to the segment polygons, which represent large crown parts or
even single trees. We found that average segment-based values of echo width and cross section
are well suited to separate larch from deciduous trees (i.e. oak and beech). Additionally, the
vertical distribution of the FWF information within a segment is specific for each tree species. On
forest stand level a visual agreement of the segment-based FWF values with forest inventory
reference data exists. We expect that with further investigation on the laser beamīs interaction
with vegetation calibrated FWF information can assist tree species classification and forest
inventory.

Keywords:
Airborne Laser Scanning, Waveform, Calibration, Segmentation, Vegetation


Electronic version of the publication:
http://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/PubDat_166568.pdf


Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.