| Abstract [eng] |
Remote sensing is a rapidly growing field of earth observation research in the 21st century, the essence of which is to collect data on its various properties without physically touching the earth's surface. One such remote sensing method is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). Because LiDAR technology allows the immediate evaluation of surface properties in three-dimensional (3D) space, the range of data applications is quite wide and ranges from the observation and analysis of natural processes to seemingly simple solutions applied in everyday human activities. This work is focused on one of the natural areas of application of LiDAR technology - forestry. Forestry is a field of forest sciences that examines the basics, methods, procedures, tools and properties of forests, the conditions for the growth of trees and stands, the methods of forest planting and use, and the procedures for organizing forestry. The aim of this work is to evaluate and analyze the application of LiDAR data in forestry. Six objectives have been formulated for the implementation of the aim of the work: to perform the analysis of the content of similar research conducted abroad and in Lithuania; to single out the main components of the state of forests used in forestry; to perform an analysis of the possibilities of applying LiDAR data for the isolation of components describing the condition of forests; to select a specific forest area where LiDAR data will be applied for the assessment and characterization of the forest condition; to perform a component assessment of a specific forest area using LiDAR data; to verify LiDAR and field research data and to develop application methodology. The course of the research is based on a review of the literature and previous research both in Lithuania and abroad, as well as on the solutions of spatial analysis. Three main characteristics of forest area assessment are distinguished: forest surface, relief and infrastructure, crown density and height of forest trees, inventory and characteristics of individual trees in the forest. The evaluation and analysis of the application of LiDAR data in forestry showed that the component forest area assessment model based on LiDAR data is one of the most reliable remote sensing methods to solve complex forestry problems. The results of the assessment of the forest area component fully comply with the defaults, and the model of the spatial analysis of the forest area component with the described research method into one whole and automates the work process. |
