Waveform Features for Tree Identification

Interest in full-waveform airborne laser scanning (ALS) data has significantly increased with the release of waveform digitizers by commercial vendors. Despite the recent widespread availability of full-waveform data, the full potential of this type of data has yet to be realised. Some of the most promising applications for waveform data can be found in various fields of forestry, in which ALS data can aid in understanding single-tree characteristics. Waveform data can provide both vertical and horizontal information on forests. In this article, we study the feasibility of using full waveform data for tree identification. This study also considers the applicability of methods designed for use with conventional data, the possibility of generating methods that could use considerably denser point clouds extracted from full-waveforms, as well as the applicability of single descriptive or distinct waveform characteristics for tree species classification and tree parameter extraction. In addition, waveform data is compared with terrestrial close-range images. Superimposing waveform data on registered close-range images offers an excellent opportunity for understanding the waveform in greater detail. * Corresponding author.