Testing Forestry Digital Twinning Workflow Based on Mobile LiDAR Scanner and AI Platform

Mihai Daniel Niță

doi:10.3390/f12111576

Abstract

Climate-smart forestry is a sustainable forest management approach for increasing positive climate impacts on society. As climate-smart forestry is focusing on more sustainable solutions that are resource-efficient and circular, digitalization plays an important role in its implementation. The article aimed to validate an automatic workflow of processing 3D pointclouds to produce digital twins for every tree on large 1-ha sample plots using a GeoSLAM mobile LiDAR scanner and VirtSilv AI platform. Specific objectives were to test the efficiency of segmentation technique developed in the platform for individual trees from an initial cloud of 3D points observed in the field and to quantify the efficiency of digital twinning by comparing the automatically generated results of (DBH, H, and Volume) with traditional measurements. A number of 1399 trees were scanned with LiDAR to create digital twins and, for validation, were measured with traditional tools such as forest tape and vertex. The segmentation algorithm developed in the platform to extract individual 3D trees recorded an accuracy varying between 95 and 98%. This result was higher in accuracy than reported by other solutions. When compared to traditional measurements the bias for diameter at breast height (DBH) and height was not significant. Digital twinning offers a blockchain solution for digitalization, and AI platforms are able to provide technological advantage in preserving and restoring biodiversity with sustainable forest management.

Highlights

Technology-based on digital twins extends well beyond the initial design to the merging of the world of IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics [1]
The plots were scanned using ZEB Horizon, a scanner based on LiDAR technology, and included in the category of terrestrial laser scanners (TLS)
With two big challenges ahead digital twinning and AI solutions in forestry are the steps for more sustainable solutions that are resource-efficient and circular

Summary

Introduction

Technology-based on digital twins extends well beyond the initial design to the merging of the world of IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence), and big data analytics [1]. Known as the part of world who harbors the highest biodiversity, forests are one of the most complex systems from a structural and functional point of view. In addition to their role as recreational resources, wood products, and material and energy providers, forests and the forest sector are fundamental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide in tree biomass. In response to climate change, the approach intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt forest management to create resilient forests and focus on active forest management with the goal of sustainability by increasing productivity while simultaneously offering forest benefits [7,8]. Digitalization plays a key role in climate-smart forestry’s focus on sustainable, resource-efficiency, and circular solutions [10]

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Discussion

Conclusion