Three-Dimensional Modeling of an Urban Park and Trees by Combined Airborne and Portable On-Ground Scanning LIDAR Remote Sensing

Abstract

In this study, we confirmed the utility of airborne and portable on-ground scanning light detection and ranging (LIDARs) for three-dimensional visualization of an urban park and quantification of biophysical variables of trees in the park. The digital canopy height model (DCHM) and digital terrain model generated from airborne scanning LIDAR data provided precise images of the ground surface and individual tree canopies. The heights of 166 coniferous and broadleaf trees of 11 species in the park were estimated from the DCHM images with slight underestimation (mean error= −0.14 m, RMSE= 0.30 m). Portable on-ground scanning LIDAR provided images of individual trees with detailed features. Tree height and trunk diameter were estimated to be within 0.31 m and 1 cm, respectively, from the on-ground LIDAR images. We combined airborne and on-ground LIDAR images to overcome blind regions and created a complete three-dimensional model of three standing trees. The model allowed not only visual assessment from all viewpoints but also quantitative estimation of canopy volume, trunk volume, and canopy cross-sectional area.

Developing laser scanning applications for mapping and monitoring single tree characteristics for the needs of urban forestry

“…Trees were delineated automatically using watershed segmentation and both the spectral and ALS data were used for determining tree species. In Omasa et al (2008), TLS and ALS data were fused for visualizing and measuring biophysical parameters from park trees.…”

Estimating Stand Volume and Above-Ground Biomass of Urban Forests Using LiDAR

“…LiDAR-based applications have expanded rapidly in the past two decades to model leaf distribution [17], 3-D canopy structure [18], spatial distributions of trees and canopies in complex topography [19,20], as well as species diversity [21][22][23][24]. For example, Omasa et al (2008) used airborne and portable laser scanners to estimate the height of individual trees in Tokyo, Japan [25]. Shrestha et al (2012) estimated the above-ground biomass of an urban forest in Oklahoma, USA, using the 95th percentile of the LiDAR point-cloud distribution [26] (see also Huang et al 2013 [27]).…”

The role of visualizations in urban forestry. Conclusions from managers’ perspectives

“…Airborne and portable on-ground scanning light detection and ranging (LIDAR) can be used for three-dimensional visualization of urban parks and quantification of biophysical variables of trees in urban environments (Omasa, Hosoi, Uenishi, Shimizu, and Akiyama, 2007). The authors combined airborne and on-ground LIDAR images to overcome blind regions and created a complete three-dimensional model of three standing trees which allowed not only visual assessment from all viewpoints but also quantitative estimation of canopy volume, trunk volume, and canopy cross-sectional area.…”

“…These technologies can facilitate accurate tree model creation and visual simulations, and are currently being incorporated into landscape visualizations used in urban planning and forestry (Czyńska, 2015; and even in simulation of urban trees elsewhere (Omasa et al, 2007;Rutzinger et al, 2011;Tooke, Coops, and Voogt, 2009). …”

“…Literature on the use of visualizations in other areas of urban forestry or greenspace planning is mainly focussed on technical developments (Brasch et al, 2009;Hayek, Halatsch, Kunze, Schmitt, and Gret-Regamey, 2010;Landes et al, 2015;Neuenschwander et al, 2014;Omasa et al, 2007;Rutzinger et al, 2011), in the use of visualizations to understand public preferences in urban forestry (Laing, Davies, and Scott, 2003;Lange, Hehl-Lange, and Brewer, 2008;Schroeder and Orland, 1994), or in collaborative urban greenspace planning (Tyrvainen, Gustavsson, Konijnendijk, and Ode, 2006;Wang et al, 2015;Warren-Kretzschmar and Tiedtke, 2010;West, Halley, O'Neil-Dunne, Gordon, and Pless, 2013).…”