Forest biometric parameter extraction using unmanned aerial vehicle to aid in forest inventory data collection

Frequent ground surveys and satellite-based information on tree height, canopy gaps and forest dynamics are limited by time, cost and spatial scales. In this study, an attempt has been made to derive forest biometric parameter on tree height by canopy height model and crown area projections using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)-RGB image. Sorensen's coefficient has been used as an index to compare between ground inventory and UAV-based species identification. The statistical paired t-test showed UAV RGB can be used for maximum tree height and tree crown extraction to aid in ground surveys.