Leaf area index retrieval study with a modelling framework, hemispherical photography and LiDARs

The availability of experimental data from forest sites, such as foliage density, is limited and is also subject to measurement errors. To address this problem, we designed a study around the use of a modeling framework of virtual forest stands with known architectural attributes using the freeware POV-Ray [1]. The modeling framework was first used to evaluate existing methods for estimating the total plant and leaf area index (PAI, LAI) from hemispherical photography (HP) and then to simulate LiDAR data to assess the added benefit of vertical information in the LAI retrieval. LAI retrieval from terrestrial (TLS) and airborne (ALS) LiDARs were also assessed using both the modeling framework and data collected at the Matane Reserve in Quebec.