RIEGL LiDAR in Forestry& Precision Agriculture

ULS

Various LiDAR Sensors & Systems for Most Challenging Projects

Based on most innovative and proprietary Waveform-LiDAR technology RIEGL laser scanners and systems
provide an outstanding high-density point cloud ideally suited for applications in forestry and precisionagriculture. Advanced processing algorithms account for a full exploitation of the information included inscan data. Multi-target capability enables excellent vegetation penetration and the computing of detailed
terrain models. Point classification is the basis for growth monitoring, height modeling, or the detection of deadfall.

WAVEFORM-LiDAR TECHNOLOGYRIEGL VQ-1560i-DW

RiCOPTER

Dual Wavelength Waveform Processing
Airborne LiDAR Scanning System for
High-Point Density Mapping Applications

Remotely piloted,
fully integrated
UAV-based Airborne LiDAR System

RIEGL VQ-480 II / VQ-580 II
Airborne Laser Scanning System
for use in small aircrafts,
helicopters, or large UAVs

RIEGL VZ-400i
High Performance
3D Terrestrial Laser Scanner

RIEGL UAS-based LiDAR Sensors
for integration in the RiCOPTER andvarious types of renowned UAVs

www.riegl.comRIEGL LMS GmbH, Austria | RIEGL USA Inc. | RIEGL Japan Ltd. | RIEGL China Ltd. | RIEGL Australia Pty Ltd.

Forestry Applications
Data Acquisition using Airborne, UAV-based, and Terrestrial Laser Scanning

AIRBORNE
+4 dB

+4 dB

VQ-580 II at 1064nm wavelength-10 dBvegetation mask
green: areas of vegetation
higher than 3m and larger
than 10 sqm

canopy modelvegetation
colored by height
above groundVQ-480 II at 1550nm wavelength

single tree deliniation
colors represent
the area coveredby a single tree

crown coverageterrain colored by
the percentage ofvegetation coverage-10 dB
created with LIS Pro 3D by

UAV-BASED
segmented
point cloud

3D piped modelof tree stem

displayof single trees

volume model
for biomass measurement
created with LIS Pro 3D by

TERRESTRIAL
automatic scan data registrationin RiSCAN PRO» point cloud classificationof ground & vegetation» single tree segmentation

tree metrics:» DBH (Diameter Brest Hight)» tree height» tree length» crown coverage» convex hull of crown» crown volume

created with2stem and branchsegmentation of a spruce

point cloudacquired withRIEGL VZ-400i

Martin Jacobs,Lehrstuhl für Waldwachstumskunde

VEGETATIONetgve

Due to the extremely high scanning rates theVUX®-1UAV provides an outstanding highdensity pointcloud, which makes it ideal forforestry applications.

ation

GROUND CONDITIONS
ndougrnsitio

ndco

The excellent vegetation penetration rate
results in a high number of ground returns
that can be used to generate very detailed
terrain models. The sample to the left
depicts points classified as ground colouredby reflectance.

GROWTH MONITORING& TREE HEIGHT MODELg lrin eito odon mm htth eig
ow hgr tree&All points classified as vegetation can becoloured by relative height above ground.
This results in a relative estimation model ofthe trees revealing regions of low and highvegetation stands. Growth rates can be
documented by comparison of heightmodels collected over a period of time.

SHRUB LAYER & DEADFALL
rubsherlay&
df

adeallThe undergrowth of a forest consists of shrubby
vegetation and seedling trees. It plays an important role in the forest eco system and is ahabitat for wildlife and birds. The image tothe left shows points classified as low vegetation (red) and clearly shows areas of dense
natural cover. Furthermore deadwood can bedetected in this data layer.

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BARE EARTH
rthea

With all vegetation data removed, the remaining points define a very detailed terrain
model. This model clearly reveals roads andtrenches as well as results of slope instabilityand erosion.

3

Precision Agriculture Applications
ADVANTAGES OF LASER SCANNING
IN VEGETATION MONITORING• c ontinuous crop monitoring
during growth period• observation of irregularities in plant growth• detection of hail damage• analysis of terrain changes• yield estimation• observation of nutrient over- or undersupply• longterm regular observation of growth
characteristics for geological evalution
and classification

By contrast to photogrammetry, which islimited to determining Digital Surface
Models (DSM), the technique of laser
scanning enables the user to capture data
suitable for the generation of DSM and Digital
Terrain Models (DTM).
Advanced processing algorithms account fora full exploitation of the information includedin scan data. A typical target situation is measuring areas covered by vegetation. Several
target echoes resulting from a single
laser pulse emission are obtained by echo
digitization and subsequently resolved byonline waveform processing, resulting inmeasurement ranges, echo amplitudes, calibrated target reflectance and pulse shapeinformation.

CROP GROWTH

corn
colored pointcloud

sunflowers
colored pointcloudillustration ofpenetration capacity

Crop growth and health is closely monitored
in Precision Farming in order to minimize
the use of fertilizers or irrigation. Airborne
laser scanning data enable to observe plant
growth – while at the same time displaying
changes in ground surface – or to detect areasof irregularities.

FIELD CHARACTERISTICS
While plant height cannot per se be interpreted
as a direct factor for yield calculation, irregularities due to, e.g., different soil composure, variety of seed type or damage (e.g., weatherrelated, caused by storm, hail, or rainfall) can
easily be discerned and taken as an indicator
for further developments and estimationof yield at harvest.

MONITORING
Constant monitoring of agricultural areas
enables early yield estimation based upon
differences in plant growth development.
crop stand variations

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019 – All rights reserved.
Use of this data sheet other than for personal purposes requires RIEGL’s written consent.
This data sheet is compiled with care. However, errors cannot be fully excluded and alternations might be necessary.

www.riegl.com
Info Sheet, RIEGL Forestry & Agriculture Applications, 2019-04-19