Category :
Article
article id 5609,
category
Article
Matti Maltamo.
(1997).
Comparing basal area diameter distributions estimated by tree species and for the entire growing stock in a mixed stand.
Silva Fennica
vol.
31
no.
1
article id 5609.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a8510
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
The purpose of this study was to compare the Weibull distributions estimated for the entire growing stock of a stand and separately for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) in describing the basal area diameter distributions in mixed stands. The material for this study was obtained by measuring 553 stands located in eastern Finland. The parameters of the Weibull distribution were estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. The models for these parameters were derived using regression analysis. Also, some parameter models from previous studies were compared with the measured distribution. The obtained distributions were compared using the diameter sums of the entire growing stock, diameter sums by tree species and of the sawtimber part of the growing stock. The results showed that far more accurate results were obtained when the distributions were formed using parameter models separately for the different tree species than when using parameter models for the entire growing stock. This was already true when considering the entire growing stock of the stand and especially when the results were examined by tree species. When the models for the entire growing stock were applied by tree species in relation to basal areas, the results obtained were overestimates for Norway spruce and underestimates for Scots pine. The models from earlier studies, where parameter models were estimated separately for tree species from the National Forest Inventory data, showed good fits also in regard to the data of this study.
-
Maltamo,
E-mail:
mm@mm.unknown
article id 5562,
category
Article
Janne Uuttera,
Matti Maltamo.
(1995).
Impact of regeneration method on stand structure prior to first thinning. Comparative study North Karelia, Finland vs. Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation.
Silva Fennica
vol.
29
no.
4
article id 5562.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a9213
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Comparisons were made between artificially and naturally regenerated stands in the south-eastern part of North Karelia, Finland, and naturally regenerated stands in the western parts of the Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation. The effect of soil fertility and silvicultural operations on the stand structure was also investigated.
The results of the study show clearly that when forests are artificially regenerated the stand structure includes less variation when compared with the stands naturally regenerated. Differences between the regeneration methods are clearer the more fertile the forest site is. Within the regeneration method there is also a clear trend in stand structure, with the variation decreasing the poorer the site. The effect of silvicultural operations, i.e. the cleaning of the sapling stand, has disappeared by the time of first thinning, although it appears to have a permanent effect on the dynamics of the tree species within a stand.
The variation of the stand structure can be regarded as an essential factor for the potential biodiversity of the stand also at its young vegetation succession stage. This capacity for maintaining the forest biodiversity, developed at the young vegetation succession stage, becomes increasingly important in subsequent vegetation succession stages. Natural regeneration provides improved possibilities for the operations preserving forest biodiversity, as it generates more dense stands with a wider variation in stand structure, compared to artificial regeneration.
-
Uuttera,
E-mail:
ju@mm.unknown
-
Maltamo,
E-mail:
mm@mm.unknown
article id 5444,
category
Article
Kari T. Korhonen,
Matti Maltamo.
(1991).
The evaluation of forest inventory designs using correlation functions.
Silva Fennica
vol.
25
no.
2
article id 5444.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15598
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Correlation functions of the mean volume, land use class and soil class were estimated using the data of the Finnish National Forest Inventory. Estimated functions were used for approximating the standard error of e.g. the mean volume of a cluster of plots. Standard error estimates can be used for comparing different inventory designs.
The PDF includes an abstract in Finnish.
-
Korhonen,
E-mail:
kk@mm.unknown
-
Maltamo,
E-mail:
mm@mm.unknown
article id 5392,
category
Article
Pekka Kilkki,
Matti Maltamo,
Reijo Mykkänen,
Risto Päivinen.
(1989).
Use of the Weibull function in estimating the basal area dbh-distribution.
Silva Fennica
vol.
23
no.
4
article id 5392.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15550
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
The paper continues an earlier study by Kilkki and Päivinen concerning the use of the Weibull function in modelling the diameter distribution. The data consists of spruces (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) measured on angle count sample points of the National Forest Inventory of Finland. First, maximum likelihood estimation method was used to derive the Weibull parameters. Then, regression models to predict the values of these parameters with stand characteristics were calculated. Several methods to describe the Weibull function by a tree sample were tested. It is more efficient to sample the trees at equal frequency intervals than at equal diameter intervals. It also pays to take separate samples for pulpwood and saw timber.
The PDF includes an abstract in Finnish.
-
Kilkki,
E-mail:
pk@mm.unknown
-
Maltamo,
E-mail:
mm@mm.unknown
-
Mykkänen,
E-mail:
rm@mm.unknown
-
Päivinen,
E-mail:
rp@mm.unknown
Category :
Editorial
article id 24020,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2024).
What we pay attention to when we are in the forest?
Silva Fennica
vol.
58
no.
2
article id 24020.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.24020
article id 23005,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2023).
What does it actually mean to measure a sample plot in forest?
Silva Fennica
vol.
56
no.
4
article id 23005.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.23005
article id 10763,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2022).
Silva Fennica has improved publishing services by changing manuscript handling system.
Silva Fennica
vol.
56
no.
2
article id 10763.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10763
article id 10711,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2022).
The persistently developing role of remote sensing in forest sciences.
Silva Fennica
vol.
56
no.
1
article id 10711.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10711
article id 10643,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2021).
100 years of national forest inventories.
Silva Fennica
vol.
55
no.
4
article id 10643.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10643
article id 10452,
category
Editorial
article id 10333,
category
Editorial
Matti Maltamo.
(2020).
Change of the Subject Editor in Silva Fennica.
Silva Fennica
vol.
54
no.
1
article id 10333.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10333
article id 10164,
category
Editorial
Category :
Climate resilient and sustainable forest management – Research article
article id 23042,
category
Climate resilient and sustainable forest management – Research article
Johanna Jääskeläinen,
Lauri Korhonen,
Mikko Kukkonen,
Petteri Packalen,
Matti Maltamo.
(2024).
Individual tree inventory based on uncrewed aerial vehicle data: how to utilise stand-wise field measurements of diameter for calibration?
Silva Fennica
vol.
58
no.
3
article id 23042.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.23042
Highlights:
A practical scheme to improve the accuracy of predicted tree and stand attributes in an uncrewed aerial vehicle based individual tree inventory; Accuracy was considerably improved with data from 2–4 sample trees from the target stand; Calibrated existing models and the construction of local models performed equally well; The laborious task of constructing a local model can be avoided by using a calibrated transferred model.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) have great potential for use in forest inventories, but in practice they can be expensive for relatively small inventory areas as a large number of field measurements are needed for model construction. One proposed solution is to transfer previously constructed models to a new inventory area and to calibrate these with a small number of local field measurements. Our objective was to compare calibration of general models and the construction of new models to determine the best approach for UAV-based forest inventories. Our material included field measurements and UAV-based laser scanning data, from which individual trees were automatically identified. A general mixed-effects model for diameter at breast height (DBH) had been formulated earlier based on data from a geographically wider area. It was calibrated to the study area with field measurements from 2–10 randomly selected calibration trees. The calibrated diameters were used to calculate the diameter of a basal area median tree (DGM), tree volumes, and the volume of all trees at plot-level. Next, new DBH-models were formulated based on the 2–10 randomly selected trees and calibrated with plot-level random effects estimated during model construction. Finally, plot-specific height-diameter regression models were formulated by randomly selecting 10 trees from each plot. Calibration reduced the prediction errors of all variables. An increase in the number of calibration trees decreased error rates by 1–6% depending on the variable. Calibrated predictions from the general mixed-effects model were similar to the separately formulated mixed-effects models and plot-specific regression models.
-
Jääskeläinen,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4127-7863
E-mail:
johanna.jaaskelainen@uef.fi
-
Korhonen,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9352-0114
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@uef.fi
-
Kukkonen,
Natural Resources Institute Finland, Yliopistokatu 6 B, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4206-1680
E-mail:
mikko.kukkonen@luke.fi
-
Packalen,
Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1804-0011
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@luke.fi
-
Maltamo,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9904-3371
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
Category :
Research article
article id 10515,
category
Research article
Alwin A. Hardenbol,
Anton Kuzmin,
Lauri Korhonen,
Pasi Korpelainen,
Timo Kumpula,
Matti Maltamo,
Jari Kouki.
(2021).
Detection of aspen in conifer-dominated boreal forests with seasonal multispectral drone image point clouds.
Silva Fennica
vol.
55
no.
4
article id 10515.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10515
Highlights:
Four boreal tree species (Scots pine, Norway spruce, birches and European aspen) classified with an overall accuracy of 95%; Presence of European aspen detected with excellent accuracy (UA: 97%, PA: 96%); Late spring is the best time for species classification by remote sensing; Best time to separate aspen from birch was when birch had leaves, but aspen did not.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Current remote sensing methods can provide detailed tree species classification in boreal forests. However, classification studies have so far focused on the dominant tree species, with few studies on less frequent but ecologically important species. We aimed to separate European aspen (Populus tremula L.), a biodiversity-supporting tree species, from the more common species in European boreal forests (Pinus sylvestris L., Picea abies [L.] Karst., Betula spp.). Using multispectral drone images collected on five dates throughout one thermal growing season (May–September), we tested the optimal season for the acquisition of mono-temporal data. These images were collected from a mature, unmanaged forest. After conversion into photogrammetric point clouds, we segmented crowns manually and automatically and classified the species by linear discriminant analysis. The highest overall classification accuracy (95%) for the four species as well as the highest classification accuracy for aspen specifically (user’s accuracy of 97% and a producer’s accuracy of 96%) were obtained at the beginning of the thermal growing season (13 May) by manual segmentation. On 13 May, aspen had no leaves yet, unlike birches. In contrast, the lowest classification accuracy was achieved on 27 September during the autumn senescence period. This is potentially caused by high intraspecific variation in aspen autumn coloration but may also be related to our date of acquisition. Our findings indicate that multispectral drone images collected in spring can be used to locate and classify less frequent tree species highly accurately. The temporal variation in leaf and canopy appearance can alter the detection accuracy considerably.
-
Hardenbol,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0615-505X
E-mail:
alwin.hardenbol@uef.fi
-
Kuzmin,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
anton.kuzmin@uef.fi
-
Korhonen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@uef.fi
-
Korpelainen,
University of Eastern Finland, Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
pasi.korpelainen@uef.fi
-
Kumpula,
University of Eastern Finland, Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
timo.kumpula@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
-
Kouki,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jari.kouki@uef.fi
article id 10360,
category
Research article
Mikko Kukkonen,
Eetu Kotivuori,
Matti Maltamo,
Lauri Korhonen,
Petteri Packalen.
(2021).
Volumes by tree species can be predicted using photogrammetric UAS data, Sentinel-2 images and prior field measurements.
Silva Fennica
vol.
55
no.
1
article id 10360.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10360
Highlights:
A UAS-based species-specific forest inventory approach that avoids new field measurements is presented; Models were constructed using previously measured training plots and remotely sensed data; Bi-seasonal Sentinel-2 data were beneficial in the prediction of species-specific volumes; RMSE values associated with the prediction of volumes by tree species and total volume at the validation plot level were 33.4–62.6% and 9.0%, respectively.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Photogrammetric point clouds obtained with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have emerged as an alternative source of remotely sensed data for small area forest management inventories (FMI). Nonetheless, it is often overlooked that small area FMI require considerable field data in addition to UAS data, to support the modelling of forest attributes. In this study, we propose a method whereby tree volumes by species are predicted with photogrammetric UAS data and Sentinel-2 images, using models fitted with airborne laser scanning data. The study area is in a managed boreal forest area in Eastern Finland. First, we predicted total volume with UAS point cloud metrics using a prior regression model fitted in another area with ALS data. Tree species proportions were then predicted by k nearest neighbor (k-NN) imputation based on bi-seasonal Sentinel-2 images without measuring new field plot data. Species-specific volumes were then obtained by multiplying the total volume by species proportions. The relative root mean square error (RMSE) values for total and species-specific volume predictions at the validation plot level (30 m × 30 m) were 9.0%, and 33.4–62.6%, respectively. Our approach appears promising for species-specific small area FMI in Finland and in comparable forest conditions in which suitable field plots are available.
-
Kukkonen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mikko.kukkonen@uef.fi
-
Kotivuori,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
eetu.kotivuori@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
-
Korhonen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@uef.fi
-
Packalen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@uef.fi
article id 10183,
category
Research article
Tomi Karjalainen,
Petteri Packalen,
Janne Räty,
Matti Maltamo.
(2019).
Predicting factual sawlog volumes in Scots pine dominated forests using airborne laser scanning data.
Silva Fennica
vol.
53
no.
4
article id 10183.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10183
Highlights:
We predicted visually bucked factual sawlog volumes at the 30 × 30 m plot-level with several alternatives; The lowest root mean squared error value of approximately 21% was obtained with a linear mixed-effects model that employed factual sawlog volume as a response variable and airborne laser scanning metrics as predictors; The sawlog reduction model commonly used in Finland performed poorly.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
The aim in the study was to compare alternatives for the prediction of factual sawlog volumes using airborne laser scanning (ALS) data in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominated forests in eastern Finland. Accurate estimates of factual sawlog volume are desirable to ease the planning of harvesting operations. The factual sawlog volume of pines was derived from visual bucking, i.e. a procedure where the defects were located on each stem during sample plot measurements. For other species, the theoretical sawlog volume was considered also as the factual sawlog volume due to data restrictions. We predicted factual sawlog volume with eight alternatives that were based on either linear mixed-effects models or k-nearest neighbour imputations. An existing sawlog reduction model, commonly used in Finland, was also tested individually and combined with a number of the alternatives, and site type information was also utilised. Model fitting and prediction was implemented at the 15 × 15 m level, but accuracy was assessed at the 30 × 30 m level. The relative root mean squared error (RMSE%) values for the factual sawlog volume predictions varied between 20.9% and 33.5%, and the best accuracy was obtained with a linear mixed-effects model. These results indicate that factual sawlog volumes in Scots pine dominated forests can be predicted with reasonable accuracy with ALS data.
-
Karjalainen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tomikar@uef.fi
-
Packalen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@uef.fi
-
Räty,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
janne.raty@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
article id 10179,
category
Research article
Lauri Korhonen,
Jaakko Repola,
Tomi Karjalainen,
Petteri Packalen,
Matti Maltamo.
(2019).
Transferability and calibration of airborne laser scanning based mixed-effects models to estimate the attributes of sawlog-sized Scots pines.
Silva Fennica
vol.
53
no.
3
article id 10179.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10179
Highlights:
Attributes of individual sawlog-sized pines estimated by transferring ALS-based models between sites; Mixed effects models were more accurate than k-NN imputation tested earlier; Calibration with a small number of field measured trees improved the accuracy.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Airborne laser scanning (ALS) data is nowadays often available for forest inventory purposes, but adequate field data for constructing new forest attribute models for each area may be lacking. Thus there is a need to study the transferability of existing ALS-based models among different inventory areas. The objective of our study was to apply ALS-based mixed models to estimate the diameter, height and crown base height of individual sawlog sized Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) at three different inventory sites in eastern Finland. Different ALS sensors and acquisition parameters were used at each site. Multivariate mixed-effects models were fitted at one site and the models were validated at two independent test sites. Validation was carried out by applying the fixed parts of the mixed models as such, and by calibrating them using 1–3 sample trees per plot. The results showed that the relative RMSEs of the predictions were 1.2–6.5 percent points larger at the test sites compared to the training site. Systematic errors of 2.4–6.2 percent points also emerged at the test sites. However, both the RMSEs and the systematic errors decreased with calibration. The results showed that mixed-effects models of individual tree attributes can be successfully transferred and calibrated to other ALS inventory areas in a level of accuracy that appears suitable for practical applications.
-
Korhonen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9352-0114
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@uef.fi
-
Repola,
Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), Natural resources, Eteläranta 55, FI-96300 Rovaniemi, Finland
E-mail:
jaakko.repola@luke.fi
-
Karjalainen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tomikar@uef.fi
-
Packalen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
article id 10075,
category
Research article
Matti Maltamo,
Marius Hauglin,
Erik Naesset,
Terje Gobakken.
(2019).
Estimating stand level stem diameter distribution utilizing harvester data and airborne laser scanning.
Silva Fennica
vol.
53
no.
3
article id 10075.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10075
Highlights:
Tree level-positioned harvester data were successfully used as plot-level training data for k-nearest neighbor stem diameter distribution modelling applying airborne laser scanning information as predictor variables; Stand-level validation showed that merchantable volume of total tree stock could be estimated with RMSE value of about 9%; The fit of the stem diameter distribution assessed by a variant of Reynold’s error index showed values smaller than 0.2; The most accurate results were obtained for the training plot sizes of 200 m2 and 400 m2.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Accurately positioned single-tree data obtained from a cut-to-length harvester were used as training harvester plot data for k-nearest neighbor (k-nn) stem diameter distribution modelling applying airborne laser scanning (ALS) information as predictor variables. Part of the same harvester data were also used for stand-level validation where the validation units were stands including all the harvester plots on a systematic grid located within each individual stand. In the validation all harvester plots within a stand and also the neighboring stands located closer than 200 m were excluded from the training data when predicting for plots of a particular stand. We further compared different training harvester plot sizes, namely 200 m2, 400 m2, 900 m2 and 1600 m2. Due to this setup the number of considered stands and the areas within the stands varied between the different harvester plot sizes. Our data were from final fellings in Akershus County in Norway and consisted of altogether 47 stands dominated by Norway spruce. We also had ALS data from the area. We concentrated on estimating characteristics of Norway spruce but due to the k-nn approach, species-wise estimates and stand totals as a sum over species were considered as well. The results showed that in the most accurate cases stand-level merchantable total volume could be estimated with RMSE values smaller than 9% of the mean. This value can be considered as highly accurate. Also the fit of the stem diameter distribution assessed by a variant of Reynold’s error index showed values smaller than 0.2 which are superior to those found in the previous studies. The differences between harvester plot sizes were generally small, showing most accurate results for the training harvester plot sizes 200 m2 and 400 m2.
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
-
Hauglin,
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Forest and Forest Resources, P.O. Box 115, 1431 Ås, Norway
E-mail:
marius.hauglin@nibio.no
-
Naesset,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
E-mail:
erik.naesset@nmbu.no
-
Gobakken,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
E-mail:
terje.gobakken@nmbu.no
article id 10006,
category
Research article
Matti Maltamo,
Tomi Karjalainen,
Jaakko Repola,
Jari Vauhkonen.
(2018).
Incorporating tree- and stand-level information on crown base height into multivariate forest management inventories based on airborne laser scanning.
Silva Fennica
vol.
52
no.
3
article id 10006.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10006
Highlights:
The most accurate tree-level alternative is to include crown base height (CBH) to nearest neighbour imputation; Also mixed-effects models can be applied to predict CBH using tree attributes and airborne laser scanning (ALS) metrics; CBH prediction can be included with an accuracy of 1–1.5 m to forest management inventory applications.
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
This study examines the alternatives to include crown base height (CBH) predictions in operational forest inventories based on airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. We studied 265 field sample plots in a strongly pine-dominated area in northeastern Finland. The CBH prediction alternatives used area-based metrics of sparse ALS data to produce this attribute by means of: 1) Tree-level imputation based on the k-nearest neighbor (k-nn) method and full field-measured tree lists including CBH observations as reference data; 2) Tree-level mixed-effects model (LME) prediction based on tree diameter (DBH) and height and ALS metrics as predictors of the models; 3) Plot-level prediction based on analyzing the computational geometry and topology of the ALS point clouds; and 4) Plot-level regression analysis using average CBH observations of the plots for model fitting. The results showed that all of the methods predicted CBH with an accuracy of 1–1.5 m. The plot-level regression model was the most accurate alternative, although alternatives producing tree-level information may be more interesting for inventories aiming at forest management planning. For this purpose, k-nn approach is promising and it only requires that field measurements of CBH is added to the tree lists used as reference data. Alternatively, the LME-approach produced good results especially in the case of dominant trees.
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
-
Karjalainen,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tomimkarjalainen@gmail.com
-
Repola,
Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), Natural resources, Eteläranta 55, FI-96300 Rovaniemi, Finland
E-mail:
jaakko.repola@luke.fi
-
Vauhkonen,
Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and environment, Yliopistokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jari.vauhkonen@luke.fi
article id 952,
category
Research article
Lauri Korhonen,
Inka Pippuri,
Petteri Packalén,
Ville Heikkinen,
Matti Maltamo,
Juho Heikkilä.
(2013).
Detection of the need for seedling stand tending using high-resolution remote sensing data.
Silva Fennica
vol.
47
no.
2
article id 952.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.952
Abstract |
Full text in HTML
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Seedling stands are problematic in airborne laser scanning (ALS) based stand level forest management inventories, as the stem density and species proportions are difficult to estimate accurately using only remotely sensed data. Thus the seedling stands must still be checked in the field, which results in an increase in costs. In this study we tested an approach where ALS data and aerial images are used to directly classify the seedling stands into two categories: those that involve tending within the next five years and those which involve no tending. Standard ALS-based height and density features, together with texture and spectral features calculated from aerial images, were used as inputs to two classifiers: logistic regression and the support vector machine (SVM). The classifiers were trained using 208 seedling plots whose tending need was estimated by a local forestry expert. The classification was validated on 68 separate seedling stands. In the training data, the logistic model’s kappa coefficient was 0.55 and overall accuracy (OA) 77%. The SVM did slightly better with a kappa = 0.71 and an OA = 86%. In the stand level validation data, the performance decreased for both the logistic model (kappa = 0.38, OA = 71%) and the SVM (kappa = 0.37, OA = 72%). Thus our approach cannot totally replace the field checks. However, in considering the stands where the logistic model predictions had high reliability, the number of misclassifications reduced drastically. The SVM however, was not as good at recognizing reliable cases.
-
Korhonen,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@uef.fi
-
Pippuri,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
inka.pippuri@uef.fi
-
Packalén,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@uef.fi
-
Heikkinen,
School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
ville.heikkinen@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@uef.fi
-
Heikkilä,
Finnish Forest Centre, Public Services, Maistraatinportti 4 A, FI-00240 Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
juho.heikkila@metsakeskus.fi
article id 68,
category
Research article
Maria Villikka,
Petteri Packalén,
Matti Maltamo.
(2012).
The suitability of leaf-off airborne laser scanning data in an area-based forest inventory of coniferous and deciduous trees.
Silva Fennica
vol.
46
no.
1
article id 68.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.68
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
This study examined the suitability of airborne laser scanner (ALS) data collected under leaf-off conditions in a forest inventory, in which deciduous and coniferous trees need to be separated. All analyses were carried out with leaf-on and leaf-off ALS data collected from the same study area. Additionally, aerial photographs were utilized in the Nearest Neighbor (NN) imputations. An area-based approach was used in this study. Regression estimates of plot volume were more accurate in the case of leaf-off than leaf-on data. In addition, regression models were more accurate in coniferous plots than in deciduous plots. The results of applying leaf-on models with leaf-off data, and vice versa, indicate that leaf-on and leaf-off data should not be combined since this causes serious bias. The total volume and volume by coniferous and deciduous trees was estimated by the NN imputation. In terms of total volume, leaf-off data provided more accurate estimates than leaf-on data. In addition, leaf-off data discriminated between coniferous and deciduous trees, even without the use of aerial photographs. Accurate results were also obtained when leaf-off ALS data were used to classify sample plots into deciduous and coniferous dominated plots. The results indicate that the area-based method and ALS data collected under leaf-off conditions are suitable for forest inventory in which deciduous and coniferous trees need to be distinguished.
-
Villikka,
University of Easten Finland, Department of Forest Sciences, Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mv@nn.fi
-
Packalén,
University of Easten Finland, Department of Forest Sciences, Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
petteri.packalen@uef.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Easten Finland, Department of Forest Sciences, Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
article id 156,
category
Research article
Ilkka Korpela,
Hans Ole Ørka,
Matti Maltamo,
Timo Tokola,
Juha Hyyppä.
(2010).
Tree species classification using airborne LiDAR – effects of stand and tree parameters, downsizing of training set, intensity normalization, and sensor type.
Silva Fennica
vol.
44
no.
2
article id 156.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.156
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Tree species identification constitutes a bottleneck in remote sensing-based forest inventory. In passive images the differentiating features overlap and bidirectional reflectance hampers analysis. Airborne LiDAR provides radiometric and geometric information. We examined the single-trees-level response of two LiDAR sensors in over 13 000 forest trees in southern Finland. We focused on the commercially important species. Our aims were to 1) explore the relevant LiDAR features and study their dependencies on stand and tree variables, 2) examine two sensors and their fusion, 3) quantify the gain from intensity normalizations, 4) examine the importance of the size of the training set, and 5) determine the effects of stand age and site fertility. A set of 570 semiurban broad-leaved trees and exotic conifers was analyzed to 6) examine the LiDAR signal in the economically less important species. An accuracy of 88 90% was achieved in the classification of Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch, using intensity variables. Spruce and birch showed the highest levels of confusion. Downsizing the training set from 30% to 2.5% of all trees had only a marginal effect on the performance of classifiers. The intensity features were dependent on the absolute and relative sizes of trees, especially for birch. The results suggest that leaf size, orientation, and foliage density affect the intensity, which is thus not affected by reflectance only. Some of the ecologically important species in Finland may be separable, since they gave rise to high intensity values. Comparison of the sensors implies that performance of the intensity data for species classification varies between sensors for reasons that remained uncertain. Both range and gain receiver normalization improved species classification. Weighting of the intensity values improved the fusion of two LiDAR datasets.
-
Korpela,
University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 27, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
ilkka.korpela@helsinki.fi
-
Ørka,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, P.O.Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
E-mail:
hoo@nn.no
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Science, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
-
Tokola,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Science, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tt@nn.fi
-
Hyyppä,
Finnish Geodetic Institute, Department of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, P.O.Box 15, FI-02431 Masala, Finland
E-mail:
jh@nn.fi
article id 164,
category
Research article
Aki Suvanto,
Matti Maltamo.
(2010).
Using mixed estimation for combining airborne laser scanning data in two different forest areas.
Silva Fennica
vol.
44
no.
1
article id 164.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.164
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Airborne laser scanning (ALS) data have become the most accurate remote sensing technology for forest inventories. When planning new inventories the costs of fieldwork could be reduced if datasets of old inventory areas are effectively reused in the new area. The aim of this study was to apply mixed estimation using a combination of existing and new field datasets in area-based approach. Additionally, combining datasets with mixed estimation was compared with constructing new local models with smaller datasets. The two forest study areas were in Juuka and Matalansalo, which are located about 120 km apart in eastern Finland. ALS-based regression models were constructed using datasets of Matalansalo (472 reference plots) and Juuka (10–212 reference plots). Models were developed for the basal area median tree diameter and height, mean tree height, stem number, basal area and volume. The work was based on a simulation approach which involved five methods for approximating the regression coefficients. The first method merged the datasets using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models, whereas the second and third methods combined datasets using mixed estimation on different weighting principles, and the final two estimated local models with predetermined and new independent variables. The results indicate that mixed estimation can improve the accuracy of derived stand variables compared with basic OLS models. Additionally, a sample of 40–50 plots was enough to build local models for basal area and volume and produce at least the equal accuracy of results than any other methods in this study.
-
Suvanto,
Blom Kartta Oy, Teollisuuskatu 18, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
aki.suvanto@blomasa.com
-
Maltamo,
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
article id 203,
category
Research article
Matti Maltamo,
Jussi Peuhkurinen,
Jukka Malinen,
Jari Vauhkonen,
Petteri Packalén,
Timo Tokola.
(2009).
Predicting tree attributes and quality characteristics of Scots pine using airborne laser scanning data.
Silva Fennica
vol.
43
no.
3
article id 203.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.203
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
The development of airborne laser scanning (ALS) during last ten years has provided new possibilities for accurate description of the living tree stock. The forest inventory applications of ALS data include both tree and area-based plot level approaches. The main goal of such applications has usually been to estimate accurate information on timber quantities. Prediction of timber quality has not been focused to the same extent. Thus, in this study we consider here the prediction of both basic tree attributes (tree diameter, height and volume) and characteristics describing tree quality more closely (crown height, height of the lowest dead branch and sawlog proportion of tree volume) by means of high resolution ALS data. The tree species considered is Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and the field data originate from 14 sample plots located in the Koli National Park in North Karelia, eastern Finland. The material comprises 133 trees, and size and quality variables of these trees were modeled using a large number of potential independent variables calculated from the ALS data. These variables included both individual tree recognition and area-based characteristics. Models for the dependent tree characteristics to be considered were then constructed using either the non-parametric k-MSN method or a parametric set of models constructed simultaneously by the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) approach. The results indicate that the k-MSN method can provide more accurate tree-level estimates than SUR models. The k-MSN estimates were in fact highly accurate in general, the RMSE being less than 10% except in the case of tree volume and height of the lowest dead branch.
-
Maltamo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
matti.maltamo@joensuu.fi
-
Peuhkurinen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jp@nn.fi
-
Malinen,
Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jm@nn.fi
-
Vauhkonen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jv@nn.fi
-
Packalén,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
pp@nn.fi
-
Tokola,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
tt@nn.fi
article id 237,
category
Research article
Jussi Peuhkurinen,
Matti Maltamo,
Jukka Malinen.
(2008).
Estimating species-specific diameter distributions and saw log recoveries of boreal forests from airborne laser scanning data and aerial photographs: a distribution-based approach.
Silva Fennica
vol.
42
no.
4
article id 237.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.237
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
The low-density airborne laser scanning (ALS) data based estimation methods have been shown to produce accurate estimates of mean forest characteristics and diameter distributions, according to several studies. The used estimation methods have been based on the laser canopy height distribution approach, where various laser pulse height distribution -derived predictors are related to the stand characteristics of interest. This approach requires very delicate selection methods for selecting the suitable predictor variables. In this study, we introduce a new nearest neighbor search method that requires no complicated selection algorithm for choosing the predictor variables and can be utilized in multipurpose situations. The proposed search method is based on Minkowski distances between the distributions extracted from low density ALS data and aerial photographs. Apart from the introduction of a new search method, the aims of this study were: 1) to produce accurate species-specific diameter distributions and 2) to estimate factual saw log recovery, using the estimated height-diameter distributions and a stem data bank. The results indicate that the proposed method is suitable for producing species-specific diameter distributions and volumes at the stand level. However, it is proposed, that the utilization of more extensive and locally emphasized reference data and auxiliary variables could yield more accurate saw log recoveries.
-
Peuhkurinen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jp@nn.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
-
Malinen,
Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
jm@nn.fi
article id 275,
category
Research article
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
Accurate field measurement of the forest canopy cover is too laborious to be used in extensive forest inventories. A possible alternative to the separate canopy cover measurements is to utilize the correlations between the percent canopy cover and easier-to-measure forest variables, especially the basal area. A fairly new analysis technique, the beta regression, is specially designed for modelling percentages. As an extension to the generalized linear models, the beta regression takes into account the distribution of the model residuals, and uses a logistic link function to ensure logical predictions. In this study, the beta regression method was found to perform well in conifer dominated study area located in central Finland. The same model shape, with basal area, tree height and an additional predictor (Scots pine: site fertility, Norway spruce: percentage of hardwoods) as independent variables, produced good results for both pine and spruce dominated sites. The models had reasonably high pseudo R-squared values (pine: 0.91, spruce: 0.87) and low standard errors (pine: 6.3%, spruce: 5.9%) for the fitting data, and also performed well in a cross validation test. The models were also tested on separate test plots located in a different geographical area, where the prediction errors were slightly larger (pine: 8.8%, spruce: 7.4%). In pine plots, the model fit was further improved by introducing additional predictors such as stand age and density. This improved also the performance of the models in the cross validation test, but weakened the results for the external data set. Our results indicated that the beta regression method offers a noteworthy alternative to separate canopy cover measurements, especially if time is limited and the models can be applied in the same region where the modelling data were collected.
-
Korhonen,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
lauri.korhonen@joensuu.fi
-
Korhonen,
Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
ktk@nn.fi
-
Stenberg,
Univ. of Helsinki, Dept of Forest Resource Management, P.O. BOX 27, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
ps@nn.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
-
Rautiainen,
Univ. of Helsinki, Dept of Forest Resource Management, P.O. BOX 27, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
mr@nn.fi
article id 282,
category
Research article
Annika Kangas,
Lauri Mehtätalo,
Matti Maltamo.
(2007).
Modelling percentile based basal area weighted diameter distribution.
Silva Fennica
vol.
41
no.
3
article id 282.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.282
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
In percentile method, percentiles of the diameter distribution are predicted with a system of models. The continuous empirical diameter distribution function is then obtained by interpolating between the predicted values of percentiles. In Finland, the distribution is typically modelled as a basal-area weighted distribution, which is transformed to a traditional density function for applications. In earlier studies it has been noted that when calculated from the basal-area weighted diameter distribution, the density function is decreasing in most stands, especially for Norway spruce. This behaviour is not supported by the data. In this paper, we investigate the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance and present possible solutions for the problem. Besides the predicted percentiles, the problems are due to implicit assumptions of diameter distribution in the system. The effect of these assumptions can be somewhat lessened with simple ad-hoc methods, like increasing new percentiles to the system. This approach does not, however, utilize all the available information in the estimation, namely the analytical relationships between basal area, stem number and diameter. Accounting for these, gives further possibilities for improving the results. The results show, however, that in order to achieve further improvements, it would be recommendable to make the implicit assumptions more realistic. Furthermore, height variation within stands seems to have an important contribution to the uncertainty of some forest characteristics, especially in the case of sawnwood volume.
-
Kangas,
Department of Forest Resources Management, P.O.Box 27, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
ak@nn.fi
-
Mehtätalo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
lm@nn.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
article id 333,
category
Research article
Lauri Mehtätalo,
Matti Maltamo,
Annika Kangas.
(2006).
The use of quantile trees in the prediction of the diameter distribution of a stand.
Silva Fennica
vol.
40
no.
3
article id 333.
https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.333
Abstract |
View details
|
Full text in PDF |
Author Info
This study deals with the prediction of the basal area diameter distribution of a stand without using a complete sample of diameters from the target stand. Traditionally, this problem has been solved by either the parameter recovery method or the parameter prediction method. This study uses the parameter prediction method and the percentile based diameter distribution with a recent development that makes it possible to improve these predictions by using sample order statistics. A sample order statistic is a tree whose diameter and rank at the plot are known, and is referred to in this paper as a quantile tree. This study tested 13 different strategies for selection of the quantile trees from among the trees of horizontal point sample plots, and compared them with respect to RMSE and the bias of four criterion variables in a dataset of 512 stands. The sample minimum was found to be the most promising alternative with respect to RMSE, even though it introduced a rather large amount of bias in the criterion variables. Other good and less biased alternatives are the second and third smallest trees and the tree closest to the plot centre. The use of minimum is recommended for practical inventories because its rank is probably easiest to determine correctly in the field.
-
Mehtätalo,
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
E-mail:
lauri.mehtatalo@metla.fi
-
Maltamo,
University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forestry, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
E-mail:
mm@nn.fi
-
Kangas,
University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Resources Management, P.O.Box 27, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail:
ak@nn.fi
article id 352,
category
Research article