Evaluation of an approach to determine the diameter at breast height of forest trees using the goSCOUT3D handheld scanner in comparison to an iPhone
Jan Dittmann, Andreas Breitbarth, Gunther Notni
Abstract:
In the last decades the relevance of forest monitoring has become increasingly relevant. Therefore, the diameter at breast height is one of the most relevant parameters of forest trees. A diameter tape measure is currently used to determine this parameter. In this study we want to digitise this and evaluate accuracy and applicability by using a photogrammetric approach. The goSCOUT3D is used as a representative for high-resolution 3D scanners with a photogrammetric approach. An everyday consumer product with a suitable camera is used for comparison. Specifically, the main camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max was selected because it corresponds to the state of the art. In total 30 spruce trees were measured and five recordings with both sensors were made for every tree. As a reference for the extracted parameter, we used a tape measure. For each recording 100 images were taken by walking around the trees (360 degree) at about one metre. After measuring the trees, a 3D point cloud was generated for every recording using photogrammetric evaluation software. A Python program was implemented using the convex hull algorithms. These algorithms make it possible to determine the diameter at breast height robustly and efficiently. Additionally, the program automatically determines the necessary height of 130 cm in the generated point cloud. In this way, the diameter at breast height was extracted for each recording. The final results for both sensors were then evaluated and compared with the reference value of the tape measure. Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the goSCOUT3D delivers quantitatively better results for the diameter at breast height.
Download:
IMEKO-TC2-2025-016.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc2-2025.016
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC2
Event name:
IMEKO TC2 PhotoMet 2025
Title:

2025 IMEKO TC2 International Symposium on Modern Photonic Metrology

PhotoMet 2025 - Shaping the Future of Photonic Metrology

Place:
Modena, ITALY
Time:
01 September 2025 - 03 September 2025
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