An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs

Ibrahim Sunkanmi Saliu; Behara Satyanarayana; Muhammad Amir Bin Fisol; Giovanna Wolswijk; Charles Decannière; Richard Lucas; Viviana Otero; Farid Dahdouh-Guebas

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106971

An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs

Ibrahim Sunkanmi Saliu, Behara Satyanarayana, Muhammad Amir Bin Fisol, Giovanna Wolswijk, Charles Decannière, Richard Lucas, Viviana Otero, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Tree height is a fundamental measurement in forest inventory studies and a critical variable for the assessment of tree biomass, carbon stock and site productivity. However, measuring tree height is often a challenging task and may generate errors. This study provides an accuracy analysis of tree heights measured through different methods ranging from traditional techniques (thumb rule and stick method) to trigonometric equipment (clinometer, laser rangefinder, altimeter), and advanced technologies (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV and distometer). Along with scientific insights for the in situ application of these methods, the factors generating errors in tree height mensuration and its impact on forest biomass estimation were determined. Our results showed that the amount of error varies from one method to another. The amount of error was highest with the thumb rule and stick method (15%) while the range of error was similar for the clinometer (7.7%), laser rangefinder (7.1%) and altimeter (7.5%). Parameters such as tree form, the status of tree (i.e., if a tree was either isolated or within a canopy) and height of tree were found to significantly affect error generation during tree height measurements. Information on the extent to which biomass estimation is influenced by tree height errors associated with the use of different methods and instruments and the direction of error impact (overestimation or underestimation of biomass) are discussed. Finally, we recommend that the choice of method for tree heights in field inventory depends on certain factors such as cost, available time and manpower, required skills, site of observation and amount of error generated by each of the methods.

Original language	English
Article number	106971
Pages (from-to)	1-12
Journal	Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Volume	248
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106971
Publication status	Published - 5 Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G., S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ).

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G. S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1?5 July 2019, Singapore (Friess et al. 2020).

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Master Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

Above-ground biomass
Clinometer
Drone
Error
Forestry
Malaysia

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10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106971

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Cite this

@article{3877833fef2e4117bce2be878a230962,

title = "An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs",

abstract = "Tree height is a fundamental measurement in forest inventory studies and a critical variable for the assessment of tree biomass, carbon stock and site productivity. However, measuring tree height is often a challenging task and may generate errors. This study provides an accuracy analysis of tree heights measured through different methods ranging from traditional techniques (thumb rule and stick method) to trigonometric equipment (clinometer, laser rangefinder, altimeter), and advanced technologies (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV and distometer). Along with scientific insights for the in situ application of these methods, the factors generating errors in tree height mensuration and its impact on forest biomass estimation were determined. Our results showed that the amount of error varies from one method to another. The amount of error was highest with the thumb rule and stick method (15%) while the range of error was similar for the clinometer (7.7%), laser rangefinder (7.1%) and altimeter (7.5%). Parameters such as tree form, the status of tree (i.e., if a tree was either isolated or within a canopy) and height of tree were found to significantly affect error generation during tree height measurements. Information on the extent to which biomass estimation is influenced by tree height errors associated with the use of different methods and instruments and the direction of error impact (overestimation or underestimation of biomass) are discussed. Finally, we recommend that the choice of method for tree heights in field inventory depends on certain factors such as cost, available time and manpower, required skills, site of observation and amount of error generated by each of the methods.",

keywords = "Above-ground biomass, Clinometer, Drone, Error, Forestry, Malaysia",

author = "Saliu, {Ibrahim Sunkanmi} and Behara Satyanarayana and {Bin Fisol}, {Muhammad Amir} and Giovanna Wolswijk and Charles Decanni{\`e}re and Richard Lucas and Viviana Otero and Farid Dahdouh-Guebas",

note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G., S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ). Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G. S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1?5 July 2019, Singapore (Friess et al. 2020). Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Master Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Ltd Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106971",

language = "English",

volume = "248",

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An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs. / Saliu, Ibrahim Sunkanmi; Satyanarayana, Behara; Bin Fisol, Muhammad Amir; Wolswijk, Giovanna; Decannière, Charles; Lucas, Richard; Otero, Viviana; Dahdouh-Guebas, Farid.

In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Vol. 248, 106971, 05.01.2021, p. 1-12.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs

AU - Saliu, Ibrahim Sunkanmi

AU - Satyanarayana, Behara

AU - Bin Fisol, Muhammad Amir

AU - Wolswijk, Giovanna

AU - Decannière, Charles

AU - Lucas, Richard

AU - Otero, Viviana

AU - Dahdouh-Guebas, Farid

N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G., S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ). Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. F.D.G. S.B. and R.L. acknowledge the financial support of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)-funded MAMAFOREST Project (SR/00/323). We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1?5 July 2019, Singapore (Friess et al. 2020). Funding Information: This study was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Master Course in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO) and approved by the Ethical Biosecurity Committee of the UMT. We appreciate the Perak State Forestry Department for their kind permission to conduct this research at MMFR. Great appreciation to the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) for the personnel provided, and to the members of the research units Systems Ecology and Resource Management Laboratory (SERM-ULB) and Ecology & Biodiversity (APNA-VUB) for critical discussions and assessment. This work was in part presented at the Meeting on Mangrove, Macrobenthos and Management (MMM5), 1–5 July 2019, Singapore ( Friess et al., 2020 ). Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2021/1/5

Y1 - 2021/1/5

N2 - Tree height is a fundamental measurement in forest inventory studies and a critical variable for the assessment of tree biomass, carbon stock and site productivity. However, measuring tree height is often a challenging task and may generate errors. This study provides an accuracy analysis of tree heights measured through different methods ranging from traditional techniques (thumb rule and stick method) to trigonometric equipment (clinometer, laser rangefinder, altimeter), and advanced technologies (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV and distometer). Along with scientific insights for the in situ application of these methods, the factors generating errors in tree height mensuration and its impact on forest biomass estimation were determined. Our results showed that the amount of error varies from one method to another. The amount of error was highest with the thumb rule and stick method (15%) while the range of error was similar for the clinometer (7.7%), laser rangefinder (7.1%) and altimeter (7.5%). Parameters such as tree form, the status of tree (i.e., if a tree was either isolated or within a canopy) and height of tree were found to significantly affect error generation during tree height measurements. Information on the extent to which biomass estimation is influenced by tree height errors associated with the use of different methods and instruments and the direction of error impact (overestimation or underestimation of biomass) are discussed. Finally, we recommend that the choice of method for tree heights in field inventory depends on certain factors such as cost, available time and manpower, required skills, site of observation and amount of error generated by each of the methods.

AB - Tree height is a fundamental measurement in forest inventory studies and a critical variable for the assessment of tree biomass, carbon stock and site productivity. However, measuring tree height is often a challenging task and may generate errors. This study provides an accuracy analysis of tree heights measured through different methods ranging from traditional techniques (thumb rule and stick method) to trigonometric equipment (clinometer, laser rangefinder, altimeter), and advanced technologies (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV and distometer). Along with scientific insights for the in situ application of these methods, the factors generating errors in tree height mensuration and its impact on forest biomass estimation were determined. Our results showed that the amount of error varies from one method to another. The amount of error was highest with the thumb rule and stick method (15%) while the range of error was similar for the clinometer (7.7%), laser rangefinder (7.1%) and altimeter (7.5%). Parameters such as tree form, the status of tree (i.e., if a tree was either isolated or within a canopy) and height of tree were found to significantly affect error generation during tree height measurements. Information on the extent to which biomass estimation is influenced by tree height errors associated with the use of different methods and instruments and the direction of error impact (overestimation or underestimation of biomass) are discussed. Finally, we recommend that the choice of method for tree heights in field inventory depends on certain factors such as cost, available time and manpower, required skills, site of observation and amount of error generated by each of the methods.

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KW - Clinometer

KW - Drone

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KW - Malaysia

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An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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