Estimating taper diameter and stem form of Pinus radiata in Australia by terrestrial laser scanning

Predicting the taper diameter and stem form of trees has been explored in several recent studies. In this paper, the use of terrestrial laser scanning technology along with the trigonometric variable-form taper equation is explored as a possibility to detect the change of diameter at breast height, taper diameter and stem form of Pinus radiata in a plantation in New South Wales, Australia. This paper is presented in threefold: firstly, the possibility of detecting the change in stem diameter is addressed. Secondly, a comparison of destructive sampling versus lidar is provided. Thirdly, the change in stem form of the Pinus radiata plantation over a 13-month period based on the measurements by terrestrial lidar, total station and destructive sampling is presented.