Economic Balance of a Clearcutting Operation Using Terrestrial LiDAR

Authors : Kazuhiro ARUGA, Chunhui Liu, Ryo UEMURA, Takeshi FURUSAWA

Pages : 1-10

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Publication Date : 2016-09-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The present study verified terrestrial LiDAR data measured at a clearcutting operation site of the Funyu Experimental Forest, Utsunomiya University, Japan. The economic balance of the operation was analyzed with time studies. Finally, the economic balances estimated using terrestrial LiDAR data and an optimal bucking algorithm were compared. The root mean squared errors insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RMSEs); between top end diameters of logs that were obtained below 10 m and measured using manual and terrestrial LiDAR were within 2 cm. Log diameters were normally rounded to 2 cm; therefore, the RMSEs were within allowable ranges. However, RMSEs were increased according to an increase in top end heights because of branches. Furthermore, the understory vegetation also disrupted laser scanning. The economic balance considering sweep from terrestrial LiDAR was estimated. As a result, the profit was estimated to be USD 96,797/ha, which was close to that estimated by manually measured data, at USD 90,235/ha. Without considering sweep, profit was overestimated as USD 116,306/ha. The use of an optimal bucking algorithm improved the profit to USD 126,536/ha.     
Keywords : Economic balance, Optimal bucking algorithm, Sweep, Terrestrial LiDAR, Top end diameter of log