Economic Balance of a Clearcutting Operation Using Terrestrial LiDAR

Year 2016, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 10, 05.09.2016

Kazuhiro Aruga Chunhui Liu Ryo Uemura Takeshi Furusawa

Abstract

The present study verified terrestrial LiDAR data measured at a
clearcutting operation site of the Funyu Experimental Forest, Utsunomiya
University, Japan. The economic balance of the operation was analyzed with time
studies. Finally, the economic balances estimated using terrestrial LiDAR data
and an optimal bucking algorithm were compared. The root mean squared errors
(RMSEs) between top end diameters of logs that were obtained below 10 m and
measured using manual and terrestrial LiDAR were within 2 cm. Log diameters
were normally rounded to 2 cm; therefore, the RMSEs were within allowable
ranges. However, RMSEs were increased according to an increase in top end
heights because of branches. Furthermore, the understory vegetation also
disrupted laser scanning. The economic balance considering sweep from
terrestrial LiDAR was estimated. As a result, the profit was estimated to be
USD 96,797/ha, which was close to that estimated by manually measured data, at
USD 90,235/ha. Without considering sweep, profit was overestimated as USD 116,306/ha.
The use of an optimal bucking algorithm improved the profit to USD 126,536/ha.    

Keywords

Economic balance, Optimal bucking algorithm, Sweep, Terrestrial LiDAR, Top end diameter of log

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