Exploring LiDAR Systems for Vegetation Analysis
YellowScan highlights the request of its Mapper and Mapper+ LiDAR systems, showcasing their unique flight configurations for vegetation analysis aimed at enhancing ecosystem understanding.Discover more >>
The Importance of Accurate Vegetation Assessment
In environmental monitoring, accurately assessing shrubs and other plant life is vital for comprehending the ecosystems of specific locations.
The advent of drones equipped with complex imaging technologies has transformed this field, enabling efficient and precise data collection.
Mission Overview
Gathering precise topographical data is crucial for understanding variations in terrain, water flow, and landscape features. Conventional ground survey techniques can be labor-intensive and frequently enough fail to effectively cover expansive or hard-to-reach areas.
The goal was to swiftly and accurately gather high-resolution topographical data to facilitate informed decision-making across various applications.
Study Objectives
This study aimed to achieve the following:
- Employ the Mapper and Mapper+ systems for aerial data collection to quantify shrub populations in a specified area.
- Evaluate the performance of the Mapper and Mapper+ regarding flight duration, image clarity, and data precision.
- Analyze and compare the outcomes from both drone models and their respective flight configurations.
Data Acquisition Methodology
The study utilized two LiDAR systems, the Mapper and Mapper+, both outfitted with camera modules. These systems were mounted on the IF12000A drone using a Gremsy quick-release mechanism.
The Mapper+ operated at a speed of 5 m/s and at altitudes between 60 and 70 meters, while the Mapper was flown under identical conditions, covering an area of 80,000 square meters.
Mission Parameters
- Speed: 5 m/s
- Altitude: 60-70 meters
- Area Covered: 80,000 m²
- Flight Time: Approximately 16 minutes for the Mapper+ and 19 minutes for the mapper.
findings and Insights
The aerial survey conducted with the Mapper+ provided notable insights. The data gathered during its 16-minute flight offered a thorough understanding of shrub distribution in the surveyed area.Likewise, the 19-minute flight with the Mapper also captured detailed information regarding shrub populations in the same region.
Upon analysis, the Mapper+ demonstrated superior efficiency by covering the area in less time due to its higher speed. the high-resolution imagery from both LiDAR systems enabled accurate shrub counting. additionally, the collected data can be further classified using specialized software like YellowScan CloudStation.
“Integrating each of their products was straightforward, requiring only attachment to the vehicle. The VX-20, Mapper, and Mapper+ were all seamlessly integrated using YellowScan mounting hardware or Gremsy Quick Connect mounts, yielding excellent field results,” stated Casey Viera, Operations Fleet Manager at Inspired Flight.
For more information, visit YellowScan’s website to read the full article or learn more.
