Estimating tree height and timber volume in the Cerrado using UAV-based photogrammetry and digital canopy model
Abstract
Aim of study: This study aimed to estimate and compare the accuracy of tree height and timber volume of four Cerrado forest tree species using a digital canopy height model (CHM) derived from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)-based photogrammetric data and field height measurements. Area of study: The research was conducted on a rural property undergoing productive recovery with native tree species, located in the Central Plateau of the Cerrado biome, Brazil. Material and methods: A UAV equipped with a multispectral camera was used to acquire a digital CHM of the study area. This data was then compared to field measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of 143 individual trees from four species: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan, Astronium urundeuva (M. Allemão) Engl., Astronium fraxinifolium Schott., and Plathymenia reticulata Benth. Main results: The tree heights obtained from the UAV-based multispectral camera were statistically similar to those measured manually using a graduated ruler, showing a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.22. The volume estimates showed an even higher correlation of 0.97 and an RMSE of 0.01. Research highlights: UAV-based photogrammetric data provides a fast and accurate method for estimating the height and volume of native Cerrado tree species, demonstrating its significant potential for application in forest inventories and management practices.
Reference
Tamilis R. Silva; Carlos E. L. Da Fonseca; Edson E. Sano; Roberto S. Ogata; Juliana B. C. N. Araújo; Mariane R. Ferreira; Carolina Arantes; José F. Ribeiro. (2026). Estimating tree height and timber volume in the Cerrado using UAV-based photogrammetry and digital canopy model. Forest Systems. https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2026352-20904
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