Mobile technologies in forestry sector: using smartphones to measure trees height

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the usage of the smartphone app “Smart Measure” to measure the tree’s height, comparing the results with real heights obtained using a measure tape after logging and with heights obtained with two hypsometer instruments (Suunto and TruPulse 200), usually used in forestry. We evaluated 30 trees of Eucalyptus spp. aged 6 years in a homogeneous planting. Trees were measured by 3 previously trained operators which didn’t have any communication between themselves. Tree’s height was obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and factorial analyses. The ability and the training of the operator were determinant factors, but the three instruments presented the possibility to obtain trustable and precise height measurements, in a way that the app “Smart Measure” can be utilized with accuracy to measure the trees if there’s a previous training by the operator.