A Consumer Grade UAV-Based Framework to Estimate Structural Attributes of Coppice and High Oak Forest Stands in Semi-Arid Regions

Semi-arid tree covers, in both high and coppice growth forms, play an essential role protecting water soil resources provides multiple ecosystem services across fragile ecosystems. Thus, they require continuous inventories. Quantification of forest structure these covers important measures for their management biodiversity conservation. We present a framework, based on consumer-grade UAV photogrammetry, to separately estimate primary variables height (H) crown area (A) diverse stands dominated by Quercus brantii Lindl. along the latitudinal gradient Zagros mountains western Iran. Then, multivariate linear regressions were parametrized with H A diameter at breast (DBH) trees because its importance accelerate existing practical DBH inventories Forests. The estimated finally applied model aboveground biomass (AGB) vegetative forms local allometric equations Random Forest models. In each step, evaluated against field reference values, indicating practically accuracies reaching root mean square error (RMSE) 0.68 m 4.74 cm DBH, as well relative RMSE < 10% AGB estimates. results generally suggest effective framework single tree-based attribute estimation over mountainous, semi-arid coppice, stands.