Abstract
Photogrammetric point clouds (PPCs) provide a source of three-dimensional (3-D) remote sensing data that is well-suited to use over small areas that are within the scope of observation by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We compared PPC-based structural metrics to traditional ground surveys conducted by field personnel in order to assess the capacity of PPC data to contribute to vegetation-reclamation surveys. We found good statistical agreement between key structural vegetation parameters, such as mean and maximum vegetation height, with PPC metrics successfully predicting most height and tree-diameter metrics using multivariate linear regression. However, PPC metrics were not as useful for estimating ground-measured vegetation cover. We believe that part of the issue lies in the mismatch between PPC- and ground-based measurement approaches, including subjective judgement on behalf of ground crews: a topic that requires more investigation. Our work highlights the emerging value of UAV-based PPCs to complement, and in some cases supplement, traditional ground-based sources of measured vegetation structure.
Highlights
Resource extraction projects and other forms of industrial development are often accompanied by physical disturbances that require subsequent reclamation: the process of returning the disturbed area to a reference or pre-disturbance condition
Statistics were not calculated for minimum height or height range because calculations of the former from the Photogrammetric point clouds (PPCs) resulted in values at or below zero, which represent ground rather than vegetation height, and would not produce informative statistical results
Since height range is calculated on the basis of height minimum, the same holds true for this variable as well
Summary
Resource extraction projects and other forms of industrial development are often accompanied by physical disturbances that require subsequent reclamation: the process of returning the disturbed area to a reference or pre-disturbance condition. This activity is often a legal requirement of development, and is the subject of a great deal of environmental work and regulatory oversight. These activities are accompanied by substantial environmental effects, including the clearing of vegetation, removal or compaction of soils, and other anthropogenic disturbances. After a well has finished producing, the site is decommissioned and the land reclaimed to a more natural state, according to regulations outlined by Alberta’s Environmental
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