Developing a dual-wavelength full-waveform terrestrial laser scanner to characterise forest canopy structure

Danson, FM; Gaulton, R; Armitage, RP; Mathias, D; Gunawan, OT; Philip, L; Pearson, G; Ramirez, A

Abstract

The development of a dual-wavelength full-waveform terrestrial laser scanner to measure the three-dimensional structure of forest canopies is described, and field measurements used to evaluate and test the instrument measurement characteristics. The Salford Advanced Laser Canopy Analyser (SALCA) measures the full-waveform of backscattered radiation at two laser wavelengths, one in the near-infrared (1063 nm) and one in the shortwave infrared (1545 nm). The instrument is field-portable and measures up to nine million waveforms, at the two wavelengths, across a complete hemisphere above the instrument. SALCA was purpose-built to measure structural characteristics of forest canopies and this paper reports the first results of field-based data collection using the instrument. Characteristics of the waveforms, and waveform data processing are outlined, applications of dual wavelength measurements are evaluated, and field deployment of the instrument at a forest test site described. Preliminary instrument calibration results are presented and challenges in extracting useful information on forest structure are highlighted. Full-waveform multiple-wavelength terrestrial laser scanners are likely to provide more detailed and more accurate forest structural measurement in the future. This research demonstrates how SALCA provides a key step to develop, test and apply this new technology in a range of forest-related problems.

Citation

Danson, F., Gaulton, R., Armitage, R., Mathias, D., Gunawan, O., Philip, L., …Ramirez, A. (2014). Developing a dual-wavelength full-waveform terrestrial laser scanner to characterise forest canopy structure. Agricultural and forest meteorology, 198, 7-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.07.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 17, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Aug 12, 2014
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• Print ISSN: 0168-1923
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-2240
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 198
• Pages: 7-14
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.07.007
• Keywords: Terrestrial laser scanner; SALCA; forest canopy structure; full-waveform; dual-wavelength
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.07.007
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/agricultural-and-forest-meteorology/