Detailed reconstruction of trees from terrestrial laser scans for remote sensing and radiative transfer modelling applications

Abstract This study presents a method for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of forest tree species that are, instance, required simulations 3D canopies in radiative transfer modelling. We selected three different architecture: Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica), representatives production forests, white peppermint (Eucalyptus pulchella), common Tasmania. Each has specific crown structure foliage distribution. Our algorithm model construction single is based on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) ancillary field measurements leaf angle distribution, percentage current-year older leaves, other parameters could not be derived from TLS data. The comprises four main steps: (i) segmentation point cloud separating wooden parts foliage, (ii) (trunks branches) data, (iii) biologically genuine distribution within the (iv) separation into two age categories (for trees only). reconstructed models were used to build virtual scenes Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer simulate canopy optical signals, specifically: angularly anisotropic top-of-canopy reflectance retrieval biochemical compounds nadir signatures captured airborne imaging spectroscopy data) solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence signal experimentally unfeasible sensitivity analyses).