Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate produced laser data from the new national height model's airborne laser scanning in Sweden, what quality it has and whether it can be used for forest management planning. From airborne laser scanning one can obtain information on forest variables such as tree species, height, diameter and basal area. Norra skogsägarna is the principal employer of this project and they wanted know to the quality of the laser data which needs to cope with their standards. If the laser data the quality required it can replace some of the operations performed by field planners.

To examine the quality of the produced laser data a control tax assessment has been performed in 30 forest departments. This was done in an objective manner. Laser data and data from the control tax assessment have been analyzed and compared to draw conclusions. The results show that height and diameter is estimated well by the laser data and can replace the operations performed by the field planners. In terms of basal area and stem volume the estimations are not that good and cannot replace the field planners operations. Systematic errors occur in the laser data estimations and the laser data can partially be adjusted with reference surfaces measured in field.