Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using terrestrial single-image close-range photogrammetry and contemporary software tools

Dean, Christopher

Full text of this article is only available in PDF format.

Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 3 article id 495 | 2003 | Research article

Christopher Dean

Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using terrestrial single-image close-range photogrammetry and contemporary software tools

Dean C. (2003). Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using terrestrial single-image close-range photogrammetry and contemporary software tools. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 3 article id 495. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.495

Abstract

A method of estimating trunk and branch volumes of single trees is presented that uses a combination of elementary field measurements, terrestrial photography, image rectification and on-screen digitising using commercial software packages and automated volume calculation. The method is applicable to a variety of different sized trees in situations where the trunks are clearly visible. Results for taper measurement and wood volume calculation are presented for Eucalyptus regnans F. von Muell., Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindley) Buchholz and Quercus robur L. Branch allometrics are provided for E. regnans. The largest errors arose from field observations. If the trees are asymmetrical in cross-section (e.g. due to irregular buttressing or forked stems), or if there is no vantage point perpendicular to the direction of lean, then photographs from more than one side are recommended. Accuracy and precision of geometric reproduction by the image rectification process, and the volume calculation, were tested using mathematically generated tree components. The errors in the branch volumes of the virtual tree showed complex trends due to interacting factors. Volumes were underestimated by an average 0.5% for stems and 4% for branches. Due to the area deficit resulting from non-circular cross-sections of the buttress, overestimation of stem volumes could be as high as 10% on average for mature trees. However, the area deficit was known for E. regnans and incorporated into the volume calculation. The underestimation of volumes would help counteract over-estimation due to the area deficit. The application of this method to carbon accounting in forests and woodlands is explained.

Keywords
biomass; branches; terrestrial; photography; rectification; volume; taper

Author Info

Dean, CRC for Greenhouse Accounting, The Australian National University, GPO Box 475, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia E-mail cdean@rsbs.anu.edu.au

Received 1 November 2002 Accepted 9 April 2003 Published 31 December 2003

Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.495 | Download PDF

Click this link to register to Silva Fennica.

If you are a registered user, log in to save your selected articles for later access.

Contents alert

Export reference to EndNote / RefWorks

Your selected articles

Your search results

Finér L., Nieminen M. (1997) Dry mass and the amounts of nutrients in underst.. Silva Fennica vol. 31 no. 4 article id 5634

Mäkelä A., Ikonen V.-P. et al. (1997) An application of process-based modelling to the.. Silva Fennica vol. 31 no. 3 article id 5632

Kauppi P. E., Hänninen P. et al. (1997) Carbon reservoirs in peatlands and forests in th.. Silva Fennica vol. 31 no. 1 article id 5606

Westman C. J., (1995) A simple device for sampling of volumetric fores.. Silva Fennica vol. 29 no. 3 article id 5560

Hytönen J., Rossi P. et al. (1995) Biomass production and nutrient uptake of short-.. Silva Fennica vol. 29 no. 2 article id 5551

Hytönen J., (1995) Effect of repeated fertilizer application on the.. Silva Fennica vol. 29 no. 2 article id 5550

Hytönen J., (1995) Effect of fertilizer treatment on the biomass pr.. Silva Fennica vol. 29 no. 1 article id 5544

Honkanen A., (1994) Selection of Salix myrsinifolia clones for bioma.. Silva Fennica vol. 28 no. 3 article id 5532

Viherä-Aarnio A., Saarsalmi A. (1994) Growth and nutrition of willow clones. Silva Fennica vol. 28 no. 3 article id 5531

Pulkkinen P., (1991) Crown form and harvest increment in pendulous No.. Silva Fennica vol. 25 no. 4 article id 5459

Finér L., (1991) Root biomass on an ombrotrophic pine bog and the.. Silva Fennica vol. 25 no. 1 article id 5436

Kuuluvainen T., (1989) Branching dynamics in young Scots pine. Silva Fennica vol. 23 no. 3 article id 5385

Kuuluvainen T., Kanninen M. et al. (1988) Tree architecture in young Scots pine: propertie.. Silva Fennica vol. 22 no. 2 article id 5347

Lumme I., Törmälä T. (1988) Selection of fast-growing willow (Salix spp.) cl.. Silva Fennica vol. 22 no. 1 article id 5342

Pohjonen V., (1987) Salix "Aquatica Gigantea" and Salix x dasyclados.. Silva Fennica vol. 21 no. 2 article id 5309

Palmgren K., Saarsalmi A. et al. (1985) Nitrogen fixation and biomass production in some.. Silva Fennica vol. 19 no. 4 article id 5254

Kuusipalo J., (1983) The distribution of blueberry biomass in differe.. Silva Fennica vol. 17 no. 3 article id 5190

Viherä A., Kellomäki S. (1983) Observations on structure and growth of crowns o.. Silva Fennica vol. 17 no. 3 article id 5189

Kellomäki S., Oker-Blom P. (1983) Canopy structure and light climate in a young Sc.. Silva Fennica vol. 17 no. 1 article id 5171

Mäkelä A., Hari P. et al. (1980) Eco-physiological studies on young Scots pine st.. Silva Fennica vol. 14 no. 3 article id 5080

Kellomäki S., Hari P. et al. (1980) Eco-physiological studies on young Scots pine st.. Silva Fennica vol. 14 no. 3 article id 5079

Kellomäki S., Hari P. (1980) Eco-physiological studies on young Scots pine st.. Silva Fennica vol. 14 no. 3 article id 5078

Kellomäki S., (1978) Effects of nitrogen fertilization on photosynthe.. Silva Fennica vol. 12 no. 3 article id 5006

Lehtonen I., (1978) Nutrient cycle in a Scots pine stand: IV The amo.. Silva Fennica vol. 12 no. 1 article id 4988

Kellomäki S., (1975) Studies concerning the relationship between biom.. Silva Fennica vol. 9 no. 1 article id 4912

Kellomäki S., (1974) The relation between biomass and coverage in gro.. Silva Fennica vol. 8 no. 1 article id 4895

Wilde S. A., (1967) Production of energy material by forest stands a.. Silva Fennica vol. 1 no. 1 article id 4737

Nurmi J., (1997) Heating values of mature trees Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 256 article id 7517

Nurmi J., (1993) Heating values of the above ground biomass of sm.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 236 article id 7682

Finér L., (1991) Effect of fertilization on dry mass accumulation.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 223 article id 7669

Pohjonen V., (1991) Selection of species and clones for biomass will.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 221 article id 7667

Luangjame J., (1990) Salinity effects in Eucalyptus camaldulensis and.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 214 article id 7661

Finér L., (1989) Biomass and nutrient cycle in fertilized and unf.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 208 article id 7655

Wutzler T., Mund M. (2007) Modelling mean above and below ground litter pro.. Silva Fennica vol. 41 no. 3 article id 289

Tienaho N., Saarinen N. et al. (2024) Quantifying fire-induced changes in ground veget.. Silva Fennica vol. 58 no. 3 article id 23061

Repola J., Luoranen J. et al. (2024) Biomass models for young planted Norway spruce a.. Silva Fennica vol. 58 no. 5 article id 24031

Liepiņš J., Jaunslaviete I. et al. (2023) Effect of stem rot on wood basic density, carbon.. Silva Fennica vol. 57 no. 3 article id 23040

Jåstad E. O., Nagel N. O. et al. (2023) The location and capacity-dependent price impact.. Silva Fennica vol. 57 no. 1 article id 23001

Sione S. M.J., Ledesma S. G. et al. (2022) Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen allocation in differ.. Silva Fennica vol. 56 no. 4 article id 10757

Kouamé Y. A. G., Millan M. et al. (2022) Multispecies allometric equations for shrubs and.. Silva Fennica vol. 56 no. 2 article id 10617

Demol M., Wilkes P. et al. (2022) Volumetric overestimation of small branches in 3.. Silva Fennica vol. 56 no. 1 article id 10550

Nuutinen Y., Miina J. et al. (2021) Comparing the characteristics of boom-corridor a.. Silva Fennica vol. 55 no. 3 article id 10462

Ouédraogo K., Dimobe K. et al. (2020) Allometric models for estimating aboveground bio.. Silva Fennica vol. 54 no. 1 article id 10215

Martiník A., Knott R. et al. (2018) Biomass production of Betula pendula stan.. Silva Fennica vol. 52 no. 5 article id 9985

Anton P., Spinelli R. et al. (2018) The effect of feedstock, knife wear and work sta.. Silva Fennica vol. 52 no. 1 article id 7003

Koala J., Sawadogo L. et al. (2017) Allometric equations for below-ground biomass of.. Silva Fennica vol. 51 no. 3 article id 1631

Donnelly L., Grant O. M. et al. (2017) Effect of deployment-type on stem growth, biomas.. Silva Fennica vol. 51 no. 1 article id 1714

Laitila J., Lehtonen E. et al. (2016) Procurement costs of cereal straw and forest chi.. Silva Fennica vol. 50 no. 5 article id 1689

Aosaar J., Mander Ü. et al. (2016) Biomass production and nitrogen balance of natur.. Silva Fennica vol. 50 no. 4 article id 1628

Liu L.-B., Wu Y.-Y. et al. (2016) Biomass of karst evergreen and deciduous broad-l.. Silva Fennica vol. 50 no. 3 article id 1492

Fernandez-Lacruz R., Di Fulvio F. et al. (2015) Distribution, characteristics and potential of b.. Silva Fennica vol. 49 no. 5 article id 1377

Hytönen J., Saarsalmi A. (2015) Biomass production of coppiced grey alder and th.. Silva Fennica vol. 49 no. 1 article id 1260

Wolfsmayr U. J., Rauch P. (2014) Primary forest fuel supply chain: assessing barr.. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 5 article id 1217

Repola J., Ahnlund Ulvcrona K. (2014) Modelling biomass of young and dense Scots pine .. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 5 article id 1190

Akujärvi A., Hallikainen V. et al. (2014) Effects of reindeer grazing and forestry on grou.. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 3 article id 1153

Spinelli R., Lombardini C. et al. (2014) The effect of mechanization level and harvesting.. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 1 article id 1003

Zamora-Cristales R., Boston K. et al. (2013) Stochastic simulation and optimization of mobile.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 5 article id 937

Muinonen E., Anttila P. et al. (2013) Estimating the bioenergy potential of forest chi.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 4 article id 1022

Huttunen L., Ayres M. P. et al. (2013) Interactive effects of defoliation and climate c.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 3 article id 964

Bijak S., Zasada M. et al. (2013) Estimating coarse roots biomass in young silver .. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 2 article id 963

Omoro L. M. A., Starr M. et al. (2013) Tree biomass and soil carbon stocks in indigenou.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 2 article id 935

Spinelli R., Cavallo E. et al. (2013) Comparing the efficiency of drum and disc chippers Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 2 article id 930

Tuominen S., Haapanen R. (2013) Estimation of forest biomass by means of genetic.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 1 article id 902

Hytönen J., Aro L. (2012) Biomass and nutrition of naturally regenerated a.. Silva Fennica vol. 46 no. 3 article id 48

Wang J., Zhang C. et al. (2011) Biomass structure and allometry of Abies nephrol.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 2 article id 113

Spinelli R., Magagnotti N. et al. (2011) Determining the impact of some wood characterist.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 1 article id 33

Jacobson S., Pettersson F. (2010) An assessment of different fertilization regimes.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 5 article id 123

Laitila J., Heikkilä J. et al. (2010) Harvesting alternatives, accumulation and procur.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 3 article id 143

Belbo H., (2010) Comparison of two working methods for small tree.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 3 article id 142

Tuominen S., Eerikäinen K. et al. (2010) Mapping biomass variables with a multi-source fo.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 1 article id 458

Mola-Yudego B., (2010) Regional potential yields of short rotation will.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 1 article id 163

Repola J., (2009) Biomass equations for Scots pine and Norway spru.. Silva Fennica vol. 43 no. 4 article id 184

Qi R., Letort V. et al. (2009) Application of the GreenLab model to simulate an.. Silva Fennica vol. 43 no. 3 article id 201

Repola J., (2008) Biomass equations for birch in Finland Silva Fennica vol. 42 no. 4 article id 236

Kindermann G. E., McCallum I. et al. (2008) A global forest growing stock, biomass and carbo.. Silva Fennica vol. 42 no. 3 article id 244

Mattson S., Bergsten U. et al. (2007) Pinus contorta growth in boreal Sweden as affect.. Silva Fennica vol. 41 no. 4 article id 273

Eriksson E., Johansson T. (2006) Effects of rotation period on biomass production.. Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 4 article id 317

Aphalo P. J., Lahti M. et al. (2006) Responses of silver birch saplings to low soil t.. Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 3 article id 328

Muukkonen P., Mäkipää R. et al. (2006) Relationship between biomass and percentage cove.. Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 2 article id 340

Spinelli R., Nati C. et al. (2005) Harvesting and transport of root biomass from fa.. Silva Fennica vol. 39 no. 4 article id 365

Långström B., Hellqvist C. et al. (2004) Comparison of methods for estimation of needle l.. Silva Fennica vol. 38 no. 1 article id 432

Kauppi P. E., (2003) New, low estimate for carbon stock in global for.. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 4 article id 484

Dean C., (2003) Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using .. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 3 article id 495

Uri V., Tullus H. et al. (2003) Nutrient allocation, accumulation and above-grou.. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 3 article id 490

Grote R., (2002) Foliage and branch biomass estimation of conifer.. Silva Fennica vol. 36 no. 4 article id 520

Légaré S., Bergeron Y. et al. (2002) Influence of forest composition on understory co.. Silva Fennica vol. 36 no. 1 article id 567

Johansson T., (1999) Biomass production of Norway spruce (Picea abies.. Silva Fennica vol. 33 no. 4 article id 649

Henry M., Picard N. et al. (2011) Estimating tree biomass of sub-Saharan African f.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 3B article id 38

Jansons Ā., Robalte L. et al. (2016) Long-term effect of whole tree biomass harvestin.. Silva Fennica vol. 50 no. 5 article id 1661

Ali A., Xu M.-S. et al. (2015) Allometric biomass equations for shrub and small.. Silva Fennica vol. 49 no. 4 article id 1275

Ahnlund Ulvcrona K., Karlsson L. et al. (2013) Comparison of silvicultural regimes of lodgepole.. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 3 article id 974

Backlund I., Bergsten U. (2012) Biomass production of dense direct-seeded lodgep.. Silva Fennica vol. 46 no. 4 article id 914

Larjavaara M., Muller-Landau H. C. (2011) Cross-section mass: an improved basis for woody .. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 2 article id 119

Muukkonen P., Mäkipää R. (2006) Biomass equations for European trees: addendum Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 4 article id 475