%0 Research article
%T Analysing the agreement between an Airborne Laser Scanning based forest inventory and a control inventory – a case study in the state owned forests in Finland
%A Wallenius, Tarja
%A Laamanen, Risto
%A Peuhkurinen, Jussi
%A Mehtätalo, Lauri
%A Kangas, Annika
%D 2012
%J Silva Fennica
%V 46
%N 1
%R doi:10.14214/sf.69
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/69
%X Airborne laser scanning based forest inventories have recently shown to  produce accurate results. However, the accuracy varies according to the  test area and used methodology and therefore, an unambiguous and  practical quality assessment will be needed as a part of each inventory  project. In this study, the accuracy of an ALS inventory was evaluated  with a field sampling based control inventory. The agreement between the  ALS inventory and the control inventory was analysed with four methods:  1) root mean square error (RMSE) and bias, 2) scatter plots with 95%  confidence intervals, 3) Bland-Altman plots and 4) tolerance limits  within Bland-Altman plots. Each method has its own special features  which have to be taken into account when the agreement is analysed. The  pre-defined requirements of the ALS inventory were achieved. A  simplified control inventory approach with a slightly narrower focus is  proposed to be used in the future. The Bland-Altman plots with the  tolerance limits are proposed to be used in quality assessments of  operational ALS inventories. Further studies to improve the efficiency  of quality assessment are needed.