Research Article

Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Volume: 5 Number: 1 June 4, 2026
TR EN

Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

Nowadays, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have found extensive applications across various innovative sectors. Within the context of forestry, these systems are utilized to determine key metrics such as tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown dimensions. This research develops a structured workflow specifically designed for Pinus nigra, focusing on estimating individual tree heights and establishing their mathematical relationship with DBH. To ensure the robustness of the proposed model, UAV-based data collection was complemented by 394 comprehensive field measurements. The resulting equation allows for the derivation of both height and DBH without further manual field labor. Validation results showed a mean error of ±70 cm for height and ±1.5 cm for DBH, representing approximately 8.2% and 7.9% of the respective mean values. This methodology offers a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative for developing accurate forest inventories and highlights the accuracy of this method and compares favorably to more expensive methods.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Eskişehir Technical University Scientific Research Projects Department

Project Number

20DRP032

Ethical Statement

The author declare that the research was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and no ethical approval was required for this study as it does not involve human or animal subjects.

Thanks

The author would like to thank Fırat Yelkuvan (Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Department of Computer Engineering), and also experienced and qualified workers of Sivas Forest Management Directorate for their assistance in ground measurements sessions. This work was financially supported by Eskişehir Technical University’s Scientific Research Projects Department with the project number 20DRP032 and title “Uzaktan Algılama Teknikleri ile Orman Biyokülesi Tahmini (Forest Biomass Estimation with Remote Sensing Techniques).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Software Engineering (Other), Environmental Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 4, 2026

Submission Date

April 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 1

APA
Birdal, A. C. (2026). Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Teknik Meslek Yüksekokulları Akademik Araştırma Dergisi, 5(1), 103-112. https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG
AMA
1.Birdal AC. Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. ARTES. 2026;5(1):103-112. https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG
Chicago
Birdal, Anıl Can. 2026. “Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”. Teknik Meslek Yüksekokulları Akademik Araştırma Dergisi 5 (1): 103-12. https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG.
EndNote
Birdal AC (June 1, 2026) Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Teknik Meslek Yüksekokulları Akademik Araştırma Dergisi 5 1 103–112.
IEEE
[1]A. C. Birdal, “Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”, ARTES, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 103–112, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG
ISNAD
Birdal, Anıl Can. “Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”. Teknik Meslek Yüksekokulları Akademik Araştırma Dergisi 5/1 (June 1, 2026): 103-112. https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG.
JAMA
1.Birdal AC. Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. ARTES. 2026;5:103–112.
MLA
Birdal, Anıl Can. “Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”. Teknik Meslek Yüksekokulları Akademik Araştırma Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 103-12, https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG.
Vancouver
1.Anıl Can Birdal. Estimating Tree Metrics and Relationships Between Them with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. ARTES [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;5(1):103-12. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA54KS49MG