Cost Considerations of Using LiDAR for Timber Inventory1

As interest in using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for forest inventory increases, the need for information comparing its cost effectiveness to conventional forest inventories is necessary. This project compared costs of a random sample ground inventory with a double sampling approach using LiDAR and fixed radius ground plots. The study examined the role of relative costs for each plot type (LiDAR and ground plots) and the similarity of plot level data (coefficient of determination) in the cost efficient mix of LiDAR and fixed radius ground plots. Because of the high cost of acquiring LiDAR data, a double sampling approach using LiDAR technology is currently not cost effective for determining timber volumes when compared to traditional ground methods. However, LiDAR inventories can provide additional benefits such as a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), wildlife habitat characteristics, and other applications that require vertical and horizontal vegetation densities. If LiDAR data are already in place, a LiDAR inventory can be performed using a double-sample inventory to reduce cruising costs and improve the accuracy of the cruise volumes, but data must be acquired with the same time frame. Trade-offs between LiDAR and ground plots are directly related to th