A method for estimating three-dimensionally DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and DCHM (Digital Canopy Height Model) from range data measured by a portable scanning Lidar was examined. This method is expressed by (1) measurement of ground and tree canopy from nine points using a portable scanning Lidar, (2) transformation from polar coordinate to orthogonal coordinate and estimation of DEM (Digital Elevation Model) for each set of range data, (3) estimation of a composite DEM from DEM's obtained at nine points, (4) estimation of DTM from the composite DEM, and (5) calculation of DCHM by subtracting DTM from the composite DEM. As a result, the DCHM and DTM showed exact tree canopy and terrain surfaces. The error of DCHM was within 0.34 m (0.18 m in RMSE) in comparison with results measured by a rangefinder.
