UAV-Based Wellsite Reclamation Monitoring Using Transformer-Based Deep Learning on Multi-Seasonal LiDAR and Multispectral Data

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? UAV-LiDAR achieved high accuracy in tree detection and height estimation (R2 = 0.95; RMSE = 0.40 m), while integrating multispectral data improved species classification (mIoU up to 0.93 in spring). Coniferous species were classified more accurately than deciduous species, though performance declined for shorter (<2 m) and multi-stemmed species. What is the implication of the main finding? Combining LiDAR and multispectral data provides a scalable, repeatable method for monitoring forest recovery on reclaimed wellsites. TreeAIBox plugin enables broader research and operational use, advancing post-disturbance vegetation assessment. Monitoring reclaimed wellsites in boreal forest environments requires accurate, scalable, and repeatable methods for assessing vegetation recovery. This study evaluates the use of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral (MS) imagery for individual tree detection, crown delineation, and classification across five reclaimed wellsites in Alberta, Canada. A deep learning workflow using 3D convolutional neural networks was applied to LiDAR and MS data collected in spring, summer, and autumn. Results show that LiDAR alone provided high accuracy for tree segmentation and height estimation, with a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 0.94 for vegetation filtering and an F1-score of 0.82 for treetop detection. Incorporating MS data improved deciduous/coniferous classification, with the highest accuracy (mIoU = 0.88) achieved using all five spectral bands. Coniferous species were classified more accurately than deciduous species, and classification performance declined for trees shorter than 2 m. Spring conditions yielded the highest classification accuracy (mIoU = 0.93). Comparisons with ground measurements confirmed a strong correlation for tree height estimation (R2 = 0.95; root mean square error = 0.40 m). Limitations of this technique included lower performance for short, multi-stemmed trees and deciduous species, particularly willow. This study demonstrates the value of integrating 3D structural and spectral data for monitoring forest recovery and supports the use of UAV remote sensing for scalable post-disturbance vegetation assessment. The trained models used in this study are publicly available through the TreeAIBox plugin to support further research and operational applications.