Mobile Devices in Forest Mensuration: A Review of Technologies and Methods in Single Tree Measurements

Abstract

Mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets or similar devices are becoming increasingly important as measurement devices in forestry due to their advanced sensors, including RGB cameras and LiDAR systems. This review examines the current state of applications of mobile devices for measuring biometric characteristics of individual trees and presents technologies, applications, measurement accuracy and implementation barriers. Passive sensors, such as RGB cameras have proven their potential for 3D reconstruction and analysing point clouds that improve single tree-level information collection. Active sensors with LiDAR-equipped smartphones provide precise quantitative measurements but are limited by specific hardware requirements. The combination of passive and active sensing techniques has shown significant potential for comprehensive data collection. The methods of data collection, both physical and digital, significantly affect the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements. Applications such as ForestScanner and TRESTIMATM have automated the measurement of tree characteristics and simplified data collection. However, environmental conditions and sensor limitations pose a challenge. There are also computational obstacles, as many methods require significant post-processing. The review highlights the advances in mobile device-based forestry applications and emphasizes the need for standardized protocols and cross-device benchmarking. Future research should focus on developing robust algorithms and cost-effective solutions to improve measurement accuracy and accessibility. While mobile devices offer significant potential for forest surveying, overcoming the above-mentioned challenges is critical to optimizing their application in forest management and protection.