3D LiDAR Scanning of Urban Forest Structure Using a Consumer Tablet

Forest measurements using conventional methods may not capture all the important information required to properly characterize forest structure. The objective of this study was develop a low-cost alternative method for inventory and characterization structure handheld LiDAR technology. Three-dimensional (3D) maps trees were obtained an iPad Pro with sensor. Freely-available software programs, including 3D Software CloudCompare software, used determine tree diameter at breast height (DBH) distance between trees. point cloud data from sensor able estimate DBH accurately, residual error 2.4 cm in urban stand 1.9 actively managed experimental stand. Distances also accurately estimated, mean errors 0.21 m forest, 0.38 This demonstrates that it is possible use consumer tablet measure certain attributes, which could enable crowdsourcing other density because its integration into existing Apple devices ease use.