Mapping High-Resolution Digital Terrain Model Using Terrestrial LiDAR Scanner in a Mangrove Wetland Ecosystem

Mangrove ecosystems, renowned for their vital ecological significance, encompass dynamic landscapes of intricate Microtopography, significantly influencing hydrological processes, plant distribution, and overall ecosystem health. This study underscores the pivotal role of high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) (< 1 m2 spatial resolution) in unravelling the complexities of Microtopography within mangrove ecosystems. The qCANUPO classification and Cloth Simulation Filter (CSF) methods were used to generate DTM from a point cloud acquired using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS). The performance of both approaches to retrieve high-resolution DTM from a challenging environment like a mangrove wetland was analysed. Both methods exhibit varying degrees of accuracy and precision in capturing the intricate terrain of the mangrove wetland ecosystem.