Estimating stand volume in Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) and Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantation with different scale approaches using airborne LiDAR

Abstract

This study aimed at estimating stand volume with plot based approach and single tree level approach using airborne LiDAR (Light and Detection and Ranging). In plot based approach，the objective variable was stand volume in plot scale，the explanatory variables derived from airborne LiDAR were calculated. The best prediction model was determined to choose variables by stepwise method. In single tree level approach, generalized allometric function using tree height and crown diameter estimated from airborne LiDAR was constructed. Comparing with both methods, single tree level approach was better in sparse forest with single layer.