Orange tree canopy volume estimation by manual and LiDAR-based methods

LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) technology is an alternative to current manual methods of canopy geometry estimations in orange trees. The objective of this work was to compare different types of canopy volume estimations of orange trees, some inspired on manual methods and others based on a LiDAR sensor. A point cloud was generated for 25 individual trees using a laser scanning system. The convex-hull and the alpha-shape surface reconstruction algorithms were tested. LiDAR derived models are able to represent orange trees more accurately than traditional methods. However, results differ significantly from the current manual method. In addition, different 3D modeling algorithms resulted in different canopy volume estimations. Therefore, a new standard method should be developed and established.