Delineating Individual Trees from Lidar Data: A Comparison of Vector- and Raster-based Segmentation Approaches

Remote Sensing

Marek K. Jakubowski²  Wenkai Li¹  Qinghua Guo¹ 

[1] School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343, USA; E-Mails:;Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: lidar;    individual tree;    segmentation;    object based;    DEM;    raster;    vector;   

DOI  :  10.3390/rs5094163

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Light detection and ranging (lidar) data is increasingly being used for ecosystem monitoring across geographic scales. This work concentrates on delineating individual trees in topographically-complex, mixed conifer forest across the California’s Sierra Nevada. We delineated individual trees using vector data and a 3D lidar point cloud segmentation algorithm, and using raster data with an object-based image analysis (OBIA) of a canopy height model (CHM). The two approaches are compared to each other and to ground reference data. We used high density (9 pulses/m²), discreet lidar data and WorldView-2 imagery to delineate individual trees, and to classify them by species or species types. We also identified a new method to correct artifacts in a high-resolution CHM. Our main focus was to determine the difference between the two types of approaches and to identify the one that produces more realistic results. We compared the delineations via tree detection, tree heights, and the shape of the generated polygons. The tree height agreement was high between the two approaches and the ground data (r²: 0.93–0.96). Tree detection rates increased for more dominant trees (8–100 percent). The two approaches delineated tree boundaries that differed in shape: the lidar-approach produced fewer, more complex, and larger polygons that more closely resembled real forest structure.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland