Interpine Innovation

COURSE: Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis – 24th April 2012
22/02/2012 9:26:00 a.m.
​This is an introductory course learning how to manipulate and process LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs, such as terrain and vegetation surfaces, vegetation related metrics, down to extracting plot and tree level data. The course covers the topics with hands-on labs and presentations. Held at computer facility at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, participates work with forestry specific LiDAR derived datasets using the software such as FurgoViewer and FUSION. FUSION is one of the forest industry's leading LiDAR tools for analysis, and is available free from USDA Forest Service. FUSION allows 3D terrain and canopy surface models and LIDAR data to be fused with more traditional 2D imagery (e.g., orthophotographs, topographic maps, satellite imagery, GIS shapefiles). The course will focus on getting started with LiDAR data, visualising data, creating surfaces models of terrain or vegetation, single tree or plot extraction, and calculation of...

How Effective are LiDAR-based Forest Inventory Systems ?
9/12/2011 2:23:00 p.m.
ForestTech 2011 has held in late 2011 in both Australia and New Zealand. Interpine's Jonathan Dash and Hamish Marshall presented a discussion on Interpine's involvement in a range of trial work relating to LiDAR analysis. A quick overview of use and role of LiDAR in forest inventory systems was covered. Then a review of some of the practical decisions / advice we ourselves have worked through while planning and interrogating LiDAR datasets, including sample design, installing ground control plots, allocation of plot size and dealing with edge plots. Finally a brief summary example was given on its use in improving accuracy or reducing cost of traditional rule based sample design inventory carried out in the eastern BOP of New Zealand. Acknowledgements are given to Future Forest Research, PF Olsen Ltd, Ministry for the Environment, Susana Gonzalex-Aracil (Interpine Post-Grad Research Intern), and Outline Imagery for this assistance during some of the...

COURSE: Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis – 29th November 2011
27/10/2011 11:49:00 p.m.
This is an introductory course learning how to manipulate and process LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs, such as terrain and vegetation surfaces, vegetation related metrics, down to extracting plot and tree level data. The course covers the topics with hands-on labs and presentations. Held at computer facility at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, participates work with forestry specific LiDAR derived datasets using the software such as FurgoViewer and FUSION. FUSION is one of the forest industry's leading LiDAR tools for analysis, and is available free from USDA Forest Service. FUSION allows 3D terrain and canopy surface models and LIDAR data to be fused with more traditional 2D imagery (e.g., orthophotographs, topographic maps, satellite imagery, GIS shapefiles). The course will focus on getting started with LiDAR data, visualising data, creating surfaces models of terrain or vegetation, single tree or plot extraction, and calculation of...

Automated Log Counting: Proof of Concept at SilviLaser 2011
21/10/2011 1:33:00 p.m.
Improving log inventory is a key area where the New Zealand forestry industry could significant improve its supply chain performance. Although the process of counting logs seems relatively simple; in reality it is a difficult and labour intensive job. This is particularly significant to the New Zealand log export industry which is required to count and barcode every log (excluding pulp) that is exported. The fluctuating nature of export markets means that automated methods of counting logs hold significant potential. Hamish Marshall recently presented at the SilviLaser 2011 conference in Tasmania, looking at the accuracy of log counts for logs in pile/stacks using 3-dimensional (3D) point cloud data obtained from a ground based LiDAR scanner. In the past there have been a number of attempts to develop an automatic log counting system, the majority of these have used 2-dimensional photographic images. It was hypothesised that using 3D point data would...

Interpine Offers Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis Training Course
17/08/2011 4:00:00 p.m.
After successfully completing our first Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis course to the final year students at the University of Canterbury in June 2011, Interpine is now offering this to the wider industry. This is an introductory course learning how to manipulate and process LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry outputs. The course is lecturer is Dr Hamish Marshall. The course covers the topics with hands-on labs and presentations, whereby students work through real world examples using New Zealand LiDAR derived datasets using the software such as FurgoViewer and FUSION. From getting started with LiDAR data, creating surfaces models of terrain or vegetation, to single tree or plot extraction datasets and calculation of LiDAR forest metrics, there will be something to learn for all those interested in taking the next step in utilising their own LiDAR datasets. If you would like to know more or register your interest in...

Comparison of Individual Tree Height Measurements: LiDAR vs Ground Measurement
18/05/2011 9:14:00 a.m.
Alvaro Ramirez Carreno recently received the Mary Sutherland award for a student studying Forestry at the Annual NZ Institute of Forestry (NZIF) Conference, held in Auckland in May 2011. Alvaro started with Interpine working within our field inventory operations and has subsequently continued on to study at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Forestry Management. Alvaro continues to work with our team here at Interpine when free from his full time study. As part of his research work, he has worked closely with Dr Hamish Marshall and Jonathan Dash here to present a poster at the NZIF conference looking at comparison of individual tree height measurements: LiDAR vs. manual ground measurement. The results of Alvaro's analysis indicate that it is probable that tree features can be measured in the manner outlined in this research but that some features, such as green crown length may be difficult to measure. The results...

The Impact of Plot Size on LiDAR Standing Tree Volume Relationships in Forest Inventories
17/05/2011 8:52:00 p.m.
Susana Gonzalez Aracil recently won the NZ Institute of Forestry Annual Conference Student Research Poster Competition. Susana's poster was based on some of her research work on LiDAR metrics and plot modelling. Susana is completing her internship in New Zealand with the Interpine team located full time at our offices in Rotorua. Her poster looked into increasing the efficiency of forest inventory by improving the usefulness of airborne LiDAR data. Specifically, she explored the impact of plot size used to parameterise volume predictor models based on LiDAR metrics; and subsequent estimates of timber volumes. Stand level parameters were determined from field measurements over different plots sizes and correlated with corresponding LiDAR parameters to investigate the effect of plot size used in a modelling approach to forest inventory using LiDAR. The study involved extracting 125 plots from the LUCAS datasets, and segmenting LiDAR data (4-6 pulses per m2) for the...