Forestimator : Un plugin QGIS d'estimation de la hauteur dominante et du Site index de peuplements resineux a partir de LiDAR aerien

Abstract

In forestry, top height is a common parameter used as indicator of the stand development stage. It can be used to estimate the potential production of monospecific even-aged stands. However, accurate field estimation of top height is time-consuming and expensive. Since the last two decades, LiDAR has proven to be very useful in estimating forest heights. In Wallonia, a low density LiDAR dataset (0.8 points /m2on ground-level) is available for the whole territory. This paper outlines a tool, based on a predictive model of top height from airborne LiDAR data, to help forest management decision-making. The estimations provided by the model are associated with top height growth models to update top height over time and then estimate Site Index. The model has been validated for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stands in the entire Wallonia area (Belgium). In order to facilitate access to these models, the process has been implemented as a plugin of the open source GIS software QGIS. Free and user-friendly, it is aimed to be used by forest managers and scientists.