Drone laser scans map more than 1,000 trees across 90-acre campus
It took one drone, 300 million laser data points and seven teams of students on foot to map Wake Forest University's trees. Led by Ovidiu Csillik, an assistant professor of remote sensing in the environment and sustainability studies program, the project produced a publicly accessible, interactive 3D digital map of more than 1,000 trees and helped the university earn international accreditation…
A drone equipped with laser scanning technology captured over 300 million data points to create a detailed 3D map of more than 1,000 trees on Wake Forest University's 90-acre campus. Assistant professor Ovidiu Csillik led the project, which involved seven teams of students and faculty members from various departments. The resulting interactive digital map allows users to explore individual trees by location, common name, and height, with the tallest tree reaching nearly 109 feet.
The project, which began in September 2022 and continued into March, used a grid pattern flight to capture data over the campus. By comparing summer and winter scans, researchers were able to better characterize the canopy. The students earned remote-pilot certifications and helped validate tree species through the app iNaturalist.
Jim Musetter, the university arborist, confirmed the identifications. The new inventory expands upon a previous partial tree inventory started in 2008, and the project aims to help quantify carbon storage, shade benefits, and support planning and conservation efforts.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
