Comparison of Individual Tree Height Estimated from LiDAR and Digital Aerial Photogrammetry in Young Forests

Biomass stored in young forests has enormous potential for the reduction of fossil fuel consumption. However, to ensure long-term sustainability, measurement accuracy tree height is crucial forest biomass and carbon stock monitoring, particularly forests. Precise using traditional field measurements challenging time consuming. Remote sensing (RS) methods can, however, replace field-based inventory. In our study, we compare individual estimation from Light Detection Ranging (LiDAR) Digital Aerial Photogrammetry (DAP) with measurements. It should be noted, that there was a one-year temporal difference between LiDAR/DAP scanning. A total 130 trees (32 Scots Pine, 29 Norway Spruce, 67 Silver Birch, 2 Eurasian Aspen) were selected private south-east Finland. Statistical correlation based on paired t-tests analysis variance (ANOVA, one way) used measured different methods. Comparative results remote showed LiDAR had stronger higher pine (R2 = 0.86, bias 0.70, RMSE 1.44) birch 0.81, 1.56) than DAP, which values 0.71, 0.82, 2.13) 0.69, 1.19, 2.08) birch. The two very similar spruce: 0.83, 0.30, 1.17) DAP 0.44, 1.26). Moreover, highly significant, minimum error mean 0.79–0.98, MD 0.12–0.33, RMSD 0.45–1.67) all species. t-test suggested significant (p < 0.05) observation test output are not significantly spruce. Presumably, campaign reason these results. Additionally, ANOVA indicated overall means estimated We concluded utilization estimating possible acceptable comparable measurement. Hence, inventory can carried out or at level as an alternative approaches.