Harvester heads now enable detailed roundwood data to be collected during harvesting operations. This data can be used to improve the efficiency of wood procurement and also replace a number of field-based measurements. However, the positional accuracy of harvester-collected tree data is not sufficient currently to match the accuracy per individual trees achieved with remote sensing data.
Researchers from the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, University of Helsinki, Aalto University and Metsateho, investigated the accuracy of various instruments utilising global satellite navigation systems (GNSS) in motion under forest canopies.
The study tested several different combinations of GNSS and inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) “simulating” a moving harvester. Based on the results, the required accuracy level of one metre for tree matching cannot be achieved when using stand-alone GNSS devices. When differential GNSS (real-time or post-processed) and IMU data are applied, the required accuracy level can be achieved.
Click here for source (MDPI)
Photo: Finnish Geospatial Research Institute
