Estimation of Northern Hardwood Forest Inventory Attributes Using UAV Laser Scanning (ULS): Transferability of Laser Scanning Methods and Comparison of Automated Approaches at the Tree- and Stand-Level

UAV laser scanning (ULS) has the potential to support forest operations since it provides high-density data with flexible operational conditions. This study examined the use of ULS systems to estimate several tree attributes from an uneven-aged northern hardwood stand. We investigated: (1) the transferability of raster-based and bottom-up point cloud-based individual tree detection (ITD) algorithms to ULS data; and (2) automated approaches to the retrieval of tree-level (i.e., height, crown diameter (CD), DBH) and stand-level (i.e., tree count, basal area (BA), DBH-distribution) forest inventory attributes. These objectives were studied under leaf-on and leaf-off canopy conditions. Results achieved from ULS data were cross-compared with ALS and TLS to better understand the potential and challenges faced by different laser scanning systems and methodological approaches in hardwood forest environments. The best results that characterized individual trees from ULS data were achieved under leaf-off conditions using a point cloud-based bottom-up ITD. The latter outperformed the raster-based ITD, improving the accuracy of tree detection (from 50% to 71%), crown delineation (from R2 = 0.29 to R2 = 0.61), and prediction of tree DBH (from R2 = 0.36 to R2 = 0.67), when compared with values that were estimated from reference TLS data. Major improvements were observed for the detection of trees in the lower canopy layer (from 9% with raster-based ITD to 51% with point cloud-based ITD) and in the intermediate canopy layer (from 24% with raster-based ITD to 59% with point cloud-based ITD). Under leaf-on conditions, LiDAR data from aerial systems include substantial signal occlusion incurred by the upper canopy. Under these conditions, the raster-based ITD was unable to detect low-level canopy trees (from 5% to 15% of trees detected from lower and intermediate canopy layers, respectively), resulting in a tree detection rate of about 40% for both ULS and ALS data. The cylinder-fitting method used to estimate tree DBH under leaf-off conditions did not meet inventory standards when compared to TLS DBH, resulting in RMSE = 7.4 cm, Bias = 3.1 cm, and R2 = 0.75. Yet, it yielded more accurate estimates of the BA (+3.5%) and DBH-distribution of the stand than did allometric models −12.9%), when compared with in situ field measurements. Results suggest that the use of bottom-up ITD on high-density ULS data from leaf-off hardwood forest leads to promising results when estimating trees and stand attributes, which opens up new possibilities for supporting forest inventories and operations.

DANA PERIMBANGAN DALAM PEMBAGIAN URUSAN PEMERINTAHAN PUSAT DAN DAERAH

The issue of balancing funds which is a potential source of revenue for the regions is closely related to the central and regional governmental affairs because the funds are sourced from the state budget. Balancing Funds are funds sourced from APBN revenues allocated to regions to fund local needs in the context of decentralization implementation. The current DBH allocation is too complex as it lacks a strong foundation and varies the basis of assignment for revenue sharing. The DBH distribution mechanisms in the regions also often experience delays.Keywords: Balancing Fund Permasalahan dana perimbangan yang menjadi sumber penerimaan potensial bagi daerah berhubungan erat dengan pembagian urusan pemerintahan pusat dan daerah karena dananya bersumber dari APBN. Dana Perimbangan adalah dana yang bersumber dari pendapatan APBN yang dialokasikan kepada daerah untuk mendanai kebutuhan daerah dalam rangka pelaksanaan desentralisasi. Alokasi DBH saat ini terlalu komplek seperti kurang memiliki landasan yang kuat dan beragamnya dasar penetapan untuk bagi hasil. Mekanisme penyaluran DBH di daerah juga sering mengalami keterlambatan.Kata Kunci: Dana Perimbangan

A comparison of lower montane natural forest (Abies, Fagus, Picea) in Oszast Reserve and spruce monocultures in the Żywiecki Beskid and Śląski Beskid

The aim of this research was to find out what changes occurred between 1999-2009 in Oszast reserve in the volume, species composition and diameter at breast height (dbh) distribution of the forest stand, and the number and height of regeneration. The objective was to determine what would be condition of these managed lower montane multispecies forest stands (Swiss irregular shelterwood method or selection cuttings) and what role spruce would play in them if they have not been replaced by spruce monocultures. The research was conducted on three permanent circular sample plots (s.p.), each had size of 1/3 ha. Over 10 years, standing volume of the forest stand increased on s.p. 1 (from around 562 m3/ha to 649 m3/ha) and s.p. 3. (from 653 m3/ha to 660 m3/ha), while decreased on s.p. 2. (from 421 m3/ha to 378 m3/ha). The species composition, defined on the basis of volume share (averaged for the three s.p. jointly), did not undergo consistent changes. However, the relative dominance of beech over spruce was determined based on tree numbers. The average spruce mortality (averaged from three s.p.) did not exceed 10% and was slightly higher than that of beech (6%), and lower than fir mortality (15%). Nevertheless, spruce did not show any symptoms of dieback. The reasons behind its mortality were fallen trees and windbreaks. In regeneration, on the whole, beech or sycamore predominated, and the proportion of spruce and fir was small. In the future spruce and fir may even decrease further by competitive ability of dynamically regenerating beech. Abandonment of forest management to promote greater diversity of species, may favour the formation of beech monocultures, or forest stands dominated by beech, everywhere that beech is already present or will be introduced. The maintenance of stable, multispecies forest stands, with co-dominant fir, beech and spruce of native origin, requires natural or artificial regeneration of spruce and fir, manipulated to restore fir up to about 30%, and reduce spruce down to about 40%. This would be possible through the use of the Swiss irregular shelterwood method and selection system, and by continuous tending of regeneration

Impact of initial spacing and precommercial thinning on jack pine tree growth and stem quality

The objective of this paper was to investigate the impact of initial spacing and pre-commercial thinning (PCT) on tree growth, characteristics and stem quality in plantation-grown jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) after 58 years of growth. Four spacings including three initial spacings without PCT treatment, i.e., 1.52 × 1.52 m (5 × 5 ft), 2.13 × 2.13 m (7 × 7 ft) and 2.74 × 2.74 m (9 × 9 ft) and one initial spacing with PCT treatment (5 × 5 ft thinned to 7 × 7 ft at age 14), were chosen to analyze diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution, survival, and various tree and stem quality characteristics (e.g., DBH, total tree height, stem volume, crown size, branch, taper, sweep and wobbling). Tree mortality during the first 25 growth years was quite low for all four spacings, while after 25 years, survival for the four spacings rapidly declined. The decrease in survival for spacing 5 × 5 was the steepest, followed by spacings 7 × 7, 9 × 9 and finally the PCT-treated stand. DBH distributions for all four spacings were significantly different from each other, and five years after PCT, the 5 × 5 to 7 × 7 spacings had a similar DBH distribution to that of the constant 7 × 7 spacing. Mean DBHs differed significantly among the initial spacings. The 5 × 5 spacing produced significantly smaller trees than did the other three spacings through the years, and the 9 × 9 spacing produced significantly larger trees. PCT had positive effects on DBH growth, and yielded longer merchantable stems and better stem quality. PCT had little effect on crown development. Initial spacing significantly affected diameter growth, crown width and branch development, commercial stem length and volume, stem taper and stem deformation. Narrower spacing produced smaller but better quality stems. Spacing 7 × 7 had the worst stem quality in terms of overall sweep and wave-like transversal deformation (wobbling). A narrow initial spacing followed by a PCT treatment may provide a compromise solution for both tree growth and stem quality. Key words: Initial spacing, thinning, survival, tree growth, stem quality