Harvard Forest

Data Archive

HF413

Terrestrial LiDAR Scans in the CTFS-ForestGEO Plot at Harvard Forest 2021

Related Publications

Data

• hf413-01: Harvard Forest LiDAR data

Overview

• Lead: Matt Ueckermann, Jerry Bieszczad, Chris McKenna
• Investigators:
• Contact: Information Manager
• Start date: 2021
• End date: 2021
• Status: complete
• Location: Prospect Hill Tract (Harvard Forest)
• Latitude: +42.54 degrees
• Longitude: -72.18 degrees
• Elevation: 340 to 368 meter
• Datum: WGS84
• Taxa:
• Release date: 2023
• Language: English
• EML file: knb-lter-hfr.413.2
• DOI: digital object identifier
• EDI: data package
• DataONE: data package
• Related links:
• Harvard Forest CTFS-ForestGEO Mapped Forest Plot since 2014
• Study type: short-term measurement, historical
• Research topic: historical and retrospective studies; large experiments and permanent plot studies
• LTER core area: population studies
• Keywords: community composition, forest dynamics, lidar, remote sensing, tree maps
• Abstract:

  In heavily forested and jungle environments where GPS reception is unavailable due to dense canopy cover, it is difficult to determine one's location. Currently, either visual landmarks are used, or open clearings are found where GPS reception can be reestablished. Alternatively, dead-reckoning systems that rely on Inertial Measurement Unit sensor suites can help over moderate distances, but these devices cannot retain positional accuracy over extended ranges. Creare proposes to address this problem by developing the Tree Positioning System. This technological solution will combine a metrology system for determining local tree maps, and geolocalization algorithms that perform spatial pattern matching of local tree maps against a georegistered reference tree map of the area. This system was tested by scanning trees in the ForestGEO plot at Harvard Forest in June 2021.

• Methods:

  In June 2021 we took 72 LIDAR scans inside the Prospect Hill long-term plot (covered by the tree survey data from the “Harvard Forest CTFS-ForestGEO Mapped Forest Plot since 2014” data, HF253). Scans were taken using a Quanergy M8 LIDAR scanner, an 8-line 360° LIDAR scanner. The LIDAR was mounted on a tripod about 5’ off the ground. The LIDAR’s negative “x” axis was manually leveled and aligned to magnetic north (within about 1-2°). The Harvard Forest has a declination of about 14° at the time of measurements, which means a -76° rotation about the z-axis puts the coordinate system into an orientation where +y is north and +x is east. +z is always up. Each scan takes about 10 seconds of data. Columns in the data are [time, x, y, z, intensity]. The real time/date should be taken from the filename. Intensity is a value between 0 and 255 and gives an approximate brightness of the return.

• Organization: Harvard Forest. 324 North Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366, USA. Phone (978) 724-3302. Fax (978) 724-3595.

• Project: The Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program examines ecological dynamics in the New England region resulting from natural disturbances, environmental change, and human impacts. (ROR).

• Funding: National Science Foundation LTER grants: DEB-8811764, DEB-9411975, DEB-0080592, DEB-0620443, DEB-1237491, DEB-1832210.

• Use: This dataset is released to the public under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (No Rights Reserved). Please keep the dataset creators informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset should include proper acknowledgement.

• License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0)

• Citation: Ueckermann M, Bieszczad J, McKenna C. 2023. Terrestrial LiDAR Scans in the CTFS-ForestGEO Plot at Harvard Forest 2021. Harvard Forest Data Archive: HF413 (v.2). Environmental Data Initiative: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/51710c871a333cd84c959c200f7fd23d.

Detailed Metadata

hf413-01: Harvard Forest LiDAR data

• Compression: zip
• Format: csv, png
• Type: table, image