Comparing efficiency, timing and costs of different walking paths in HMLS LIDAR survey

The technological innovation of terrestrial LIDAR systems has recently given forest planners greater access to key features on forest structure. The Hand Held Mobile Laser Scanner (HMLS) is a recently developed LIDAR tool that is particularly user-friendly and reliable. It is especially useful in the mapping of forest stands, thanks to its implementation of the Simultaneous Location and Mapping Algorithms (SLAM) algorithm. Thus, the present study investigates the ideal walking path to follow during HMLS scanning to survey trees and estimates the biometric parameters of forest stands by testing three distinct schemes. Specifically, two different forest ecosystems are considered in experimental HMLS LIDAR surveys, a beech-dominated deciduous forest and an oak-dominated deciduous forest. Finally, a cost/benefit analysis of each laser survey is analysed according to three walking path models (STAR, GRID, BORDER). A control analysis is also performed of the traditional method without LIDAR. This study contributes to the advancement of a growing body of research on Precision Forestry by considering different characteristics of the forest environment. Regarding practical application, the resulting evaluation of field survey technology can help foresters integrate these techniques into their basic tool kit for forest planning and management processes.