Individual Tree Crown Segmentation of Larch Plantation Using ALS Data Based on Region Growing and Canopy Morphology Features


Book Description

Abstract: The detection of individual trees in a larch plantation could improve the management efficiency and production prediction. This study introduced a two-stage individual tree crown (ITC) segmentation method for airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) point clouds, focusing on larch plantation forests with different stem densities. The two-stage segmentation method consists of the region growing and morphology segmentation, which combines advantages of the region growing characteristics and the detailed morphology structures of tree crowns. The framework comprises five steps: (1) determination of the initial dominant segments using a region growing algorithm, (2) identification of segments to be redefined based on the 2D hull convex area of each segment, (3) establishment and selection of profiles based on the tree structures, (4) determination of the number of trees using the correlation coefficient of residuals between Gaussian fitting and the tree canopy shape described in each profile, and (5) k-means segmentation to obtain the point cloud of a single tree. The accuracy was evaluated in terms of correct matching, recall, precision, and F-score in eight plots with different stem densities. Results showed that the proposed method significantly increased ITC detections compared with that of using only the region growing algorithm, where the correct matching rate increased from 73.5% to 86.1%, and the recall value increased from 0.78 to 0.89







Shape Classification and Analysis


Book Description

Because the properties of objects are largely determined by their geometric features, shape analysis and classification are essential to almost every applied scientific and technological area. A detailed understanding of the geometrical features of real-world entities (e.g., molecules, organs, materials and components) can provide important clues about their origin and function. When properly and carefully applied, shape analysis offers an exceedingly rich potential to yield useful applications in diverse areas ranging from material sciences to biology and neuroscience. Get Access to the Authors’ Own Cutting-Edge Open-Source Software Projects—and Then Actually Contribute to Them Yourself! The authors of Shape Analysis and Classification: Theory and Practice, Second Edition have improved the bestselling first edition by updating the tremendous progress in the field. This exceptionally accessible book presents the most advanced imaging techniques used for analyzing general biological shapes, such as those of cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. It implements numerous corrections and improvements—many of which were suggested by readers of the first edition—to optimize understanding and create what can truly be called an interactive learning experience. New Material in This Second Edition Addresses Graph and complex networks Dimensionality reduction Structural pattern recognition Shape representation using graphs Graphically reformulated, this edition updates equations, figures, and references, as well as slides that will be useful in related courses and general discussion. Like the popular first edition, this text is applicable to many fields and certain to become a favored addition to any library. Visit http://www.vision.ime.usp.br/~cesar/shape/ for Useful Software, Databases, and Videos







Poplars and Willows


Book Description

Poplars and willows form an important component of forestry and agricultural systems, providing a wide range of wood and non-wood products. This book synthesizes research on poplars and willows, providing a practical worldwide overview and guide to their basic characteristics, cultivation and use, issues, problems and trends. Prominence is given to environmental benefits and the importance of poplar and willow cultivation in meeting the needs of people and communities, sustainable livelihoods, land use and development.




Object-Based Image Analysis


Book Description

This book brings together a collection of invited interdisciplinary persp- tives on the recent topic of Object-based Image Analysis (OBIA). Its c- st tent is based on select papers from the 1 OBIA International Conference held in Salzburg in July 2006, and is enriched by several invited chapters. All submissions have passed through a blind peer-review process resulting in what we believe is a timely volume of the highest scientific, theoretical and technical standards. The concept of OBIA first gained widespread interest within the GIScience (Geographic Information Science) community circa 2000, with the advent of the first commercial software for what was then termed ‘obje- oriented image analysis’. However, it is widely agreed that OBIA builds on older segmentation, edge-detection and classification concepts that have been used in remote sensing image analysis for several decades. Nevert- less, its emergence has provided a new critical bridge to spatial concepts applied in multiscale landscape analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the synergy between image-objects and their radiometric char- teristics and analyses in Earth Observation data (EO).




Ecology of Central European Forests


Book Description

This handbook in two volumes synthesises our knowledge about the ecology of Central Europe’s plant cover with its 7000-yr history of human impact, covering Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Based on a thorough literature review with 5500 cited references and nearly 1000 figures and tables, the two books review in 26 chapters all major natural and man-made vegetation types with their climatic and edaphic influences, the structure and dynamics of their communities, the ecophysiology of important plant species, and key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Volume I deals with the forests and scrub vegetation and analyses the ecology of Central Europe’s tree flora, whilst Volume II is dedicated to the non-forest vegetation covering mires, grasslands, heaths, alpine habitats and urban vegetation. The consequences of over-use, pollution and recent climate change over the last century are explored and conservation issues addressed.




Geoinformatics 2007


Book Description

Includes Proceedings Vol. 7821




Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles


Book Description

The past decade has seen tremendous interest in the production and refinement of unmanned aerial vehicles, both fixed-wing, such as airplanes and rotary-wing, such as helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. This book provides a diversified survey of research and development on small and miniature unmanned aerial vehicles of both fixed and rotary wing designs. From historical background to proposed new applications, this is the most comprehensive reference yet.