This document discusses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and laser scanning to map forests and quantify geohazards. It describes how aerial imagery and laser altimetry data captured by UAVs can be used to generate digital elevation models, estimate tree heights, and create 3D models of forest stands. The document also explains how detailed geohazard mapping could allow for more optimized mountain forestry management by quantifying landslide, rockfall, and other risks. Overall, the document outlines how UAV and laser scanning data can provide detailed data needed to model and assess forests and geohazards.

1. Coastway – UAV data Acquisition and Processing
Industry using UAV’s and Laser Scanning
Mine and Quarry Mapping using UAV’s and Laser Scanners
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2. Identification of Forest plantation on Flyby map
Pre Flight Planning of route over Forest
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3. Flight Plan uploaded to Auto Pilot in accordance with
CAA / IAA / European Aviation Authority Regulations
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4. UAV Take Off – Mapping Glacial erosion in Iceland
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5. UAV Landing – Mapping Glacial Erosion Iceland
Flight duration ,1 hour per battery
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6. What data will we record.
Aerial view of Forest Plantation & Geo-referenced images
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7. What Can be created from the aerial data
DEM/ DTM / DCM /Crown Sizes
Calculating tree height from the laser altimeter. The profiling laser fires 248 times per second
and records alternating first and last returns from each pulse, modelling both the canopy
surface from the first returns and the underlying topography whenever a last return can
penetrate through to the ground.
As a result, the approximate height of trees in a forest stand can be determined from a DEM of
the canopy surface (DCM), even when a correspondingly accurate DEM of the ground is not
available, by examining the underlying profile of laser data. Combined with DEM or Stereo
Analyst measurements of crown diameter, this data produces a simple model of the forest stand
that can be used to estimate growth, standing biomass, and tree dimensions.
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8. Combining DTM, DEM, DCM & Crown size data with
Laser scanned trees will enable a 3D model to be created
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9. Ground coverage 40% overlap
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10. UAV site coverage rate 2000ms (1 every 2 seconds)
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11. Registration of Images using Agisoft software
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12. Deliverables
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13. Delivering Geohazard/Geomorphological Models
Mountain Forestry
• A number of European programmes have assessed at a large scale geohazards (mostly
landslides), for example Terrafirma, LSI, SAFER LIM and
RLM, SLAM, PREVIEW, SAR.net, SAR.net2, DORIS and SafeLand
• Use of UAV and other data sets gathered as part of this programme will allow more
detailed mapping and practical assessment of geohazard with respect to local mountain
forestry activity
•
•
number of
Geohazard/geomorphological constraints include for example: landslide, rockfall, soft
ground, steep/rocky terrain, general groundtargets hydrological features, glacial
conditions,
features
visible, gradie
By quantifying the geohazard the appropriate forestry management technique can be
nt of
applied to optimise mountain forestry opportunitiessurface
• The use of particular DEM and aerial imagery in combination with localised groundproofing would allow a rapid interpretation of geomorphology and identification of
geohazard and terrain evaluation
• Several approaches to geohazard mapping are available, as follows:
Kick-off Meeting
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14. Developing Geohazard/Geomorphological Models
Mountain Forestry
• A number of European programmes have assessed at a large scale geohazards (mostly
landslides), for example Terrafirma, LSI, SAFER LIM and RLM, SLAM, PREVIEW, SAR.net,
SAR.net2, DORIS and SafeLand
• Use of UAV and other data sets gathered as part of this programme will allow more
detailed mapping and practical assessment of geohazard with respect to local mountain
forestry activity
•
•
number of
Geohazard/geomorphological constraints include for example: landslide, rockfall, soft
ground, steep/rocky terrain, general groundtargets hydrological features, glacial
conditions,
features
visible, gradie
By quantifying the geohazard the appropriate forestry management technique can be
nt of
applied to optimise mountain forestry opportunitiessurface
• The use of particular DTM and aerial imagery in combination with localised groundproofing would allow a rapid interpretation of geomorphology and identification of
geohazard and terrain evaluation
• Several approaches to geohazard mapping are available, as follows:
Kick-off Meeting
8-9/jan/2014

15. Geohazard Mapping - Geomorphological Approach
Landform Mapping and Qualitative Hazard Designation
Stability Hazard
Negligible
Low
Medium
High
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16. Geohazard Mapping - Quantitative Approach
Calculation of Landslide Hazard
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17. Geohazard Mapping - Quantitative Approach
Calculation of Landslide Hazard from DTM & Engineering Data
500m
500m
Landslide failure scar (2003)
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18. Creating and Accurate 3D Forest Model
Accuracy of data will depend on a number of factors.
•Access to the forest
•Number of targets visible from aerial image
•Quality of GPS cover
•Clear view of the sky
number of
•Time of day
•Canopy density
targets
•Gradient ofvisible, gradie
the surface
•Weather conditions / Wind
nt of surface
•Correct registration of all captured data to an
agreed datum and coordinate system.
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19. Risk
Safety and Planning are key to success
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