Forest mapping using airborne laser scanning data

Abstract

The use of airborne laser scanning technology is nowadays on the rise in Slovakia. The application of this technology in forestry is not lagging behind, and therefore it is important to examine and analyse the process of improvement and application of methods and their use in practice. Airborne laser scanning technology can penetrate under dense tree canopies and vegetation. We can map the terrain and the surface at the same time with relatively high accuracy. The main objective of this work is to validate the methodology of forest dentification, comparison with the reference data of the Land Registry and identification of forests on non-forest land – so called white areas on the basis of freely available airborne laser scanning data. White areas are areas covered with forest trees that are registered in the land register for purposes other than forest functions. The survey plots were selected regarding parameters of structure of forest land, existence of white areas and non-forest land. The data were obtained from the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Authority of the Slovak Republic. The forest classification method was evaluated using the criterion of minimum tree height of 5 m. By comparison with reference data, we identified 2.30 ha of white areas in the area of interest. In conclusion, we proposed solutions for their further management in Slovakia.