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Enhanced Forest Inventory: Thematic Listing of Publications

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Joanne C. White Michael Wulder

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Piotr Tompalski Nicholas Coops

Natural Resources Canada University of British Columbia - Vancouver
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 ENHANCED FOREST INVENTORY PROJECT

Thematic listing of publications

Joanne C. White1, Michael A. Wulder1, Piotr Tompalski2, Nicholas C. Coops2

1
Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Victoria BC, Canada
2
Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver BC, Canada

Version 4.0
Updated: February 1, 2023

The Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) of the Canadian Forest Service is working with other federal
organizations in Canada, FPInnovations, and provincial, industrial, and academic partners to develop
enhanced forest inventory systems that incorporate airborne laser scanning (ALS), digital aerial
photogrammetry (DAP), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and other remotely sensed data sources. The
following thematic listing represents research that we have done with the support of the CWFC.

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS: NEW

Riofrío, J., White, J.C, Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A. 2022. Harmonizing multi-temporal airborne
laser scanning point clouds to derive periodic annual height increments in temperate mixedwood forests.
Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 52(10): 1334-1352. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2022-0055

Queinnec, M., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Griess, V.C., Schwartz, N.B., McCartney, G. 2022. Developing a
forest inventory approach using airborne single photon lidar data: from ground plot selection to forest
attribute prediction, Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, Volume 95 (3): 347–362.
https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpab051

Tompalski, P., White, J.C., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A., Leboeuf, A., Butson, C., Lemonde, M-O. 2021.
Quantifying the precision of forest stand height and canopy cover estimates from air photo interpretation.
Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, 5: 611–629.
https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpab022

van Lier, O., Luther, J.E., White, J.C., Fournier, R., Coté, J.-F. 2021. Effect of scan angle on ALS metrics and
area-based predictions of forest attributes for balsam fir dominated stands. Forestry: An International
Journal of Forest Research, cpab029. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpab029

Goodbody, T.R.H., White, J.C., Coops, N.C., Leboeuf, A. 2021. Benchmarking acquisition parameters for
digital aerial photogrammetric data for forest inventory applications: impacts of image overlap and
resolution. Remote Sensing of Environment, 265: 112667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2021.112677

White, J.C., Penner, M., Woods, M. 2021. Assessing single photon lidar for operational implementation of
an enhanced forest inventory in diverse mixedwood forests. The Forestry Chronicle. 97(1): 78–96.
https://doi.org/10.5558/tfc2021-009

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Goodbody, T.R.H., Hennigar, C.R., Wulder, M.A., Socha, J., Woods,
M.E. 2021. Estimating changes in forest attributes and enhancing growth projections: A review of existing
approaches and future directions using 3D point cloud data. Current Forestry Reports, 7: 1–24.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-021-00135-w
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Enhanced-Forest-Inventory

Growth and Yield:

Riofrío, J., White, J.C, Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A. 2022. Harmonizing multi-temporal
airborne laser scanning point clouds to derive periodic annual height increments in temperate
mixedwood forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 52(10): 1334-1352.
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2022-0055

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Goodbody, T.R.H., Hennigar, C.R., Wulder, M.A., Socha, J., Woods,
M.E. 2021. Estimating changes in forest attributes and enhancing growth projections: A review of
existing approaches and future directions using 3D point cloud data. Current Forestry Reports, 7: 1–24.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-021-00135-w

Tompalski P., Coops N.C., Marshall P.L., White J.C., Wulder M.A. 2018. Combining multi-date airborne
laser scanning and digital aerial photogrammetric data for forest growth and yield modelling. Remote
Sensing, 10(2): doi:10.3390/rs10020347.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323401184_Combining_Multi-
Date_Airborne_Laser_Scanning_and_Digital_Aerial_Photogrammetric_Data_for_Forest_Growth_and_Yiel
d_Modelling

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.W., Wulder, M.A. 2016. Enhancing forest growth and yield
predictions with airborne laser scanning data: increasing spatial detail and optimizing yield curve
selection through template matching. Forests, 7(11): 255. DOI:10.3390/f7110255
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309493948_Enhancing_Forest_Growth_and_Yield_Prediction
s_with_Airborne_Laser_Scanning_Data_Increasing_Spatial_Detail_and_Optimizing_Yield_Curve_Selection
_through_Template_Matching

Site Productivity and Species:

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A. 2015. Augmenting site index estimation with
airborne laser scanning data. Forest Science, 61:861–873. DOI: 10.5849/forsci.14-175
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275212245_Augmenting_Site_Index_Estimation_with_Airbor
ne_Laser_Scanning_Data?ev=srch_pub

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Pickell, P.D. 2015. Estimating forest site productivity
using airborne laser scanning data and Landsat time series. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 41(3):
232-245. DOI:10.1080/07038992.2015.1068686.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281665042_Estimating_Forest_Site_Productivity_Using_Airbo
rne_Laser_Scanning_Data_and_Landsat_Time_Series

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A. 2014. Simulating the impacts of error in species and
height upon stand volume from airborne LiDAR. Forest Ecology and Management, 327: 167–177.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262806190_Simulating_the_impacts_of_error_in_species_an
d_height_upon_tree_volume_derived_from_airborne_laser_scanning_data

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Best Practices Guide:

Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data—also known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)—enables the
accurate three-dimensional characterization of vertical forest structure. ALS has proven to be an
information-rich asset for forest managers, enabling the generation of highly detailed digital elevation
models and the estimation of a range of forest inventory attributes (e.g., height, basal area, and volume).
A best practices guide brings together state-of-the-art approaches, methods, and data to provide non-
experts more detailed information about complex topics. With this guide, our goal is to inform and enable
readers interested in using ALS data to characterize, in an operational forest inventory context, large forest
areas in a cost-effective manner. The best practices presented in the guide are based on more than 25 years
of scientific research. In this document we describe the process required to generate forest inventory
attributes from ALS data from start to finish, recommending best practices for each stage, from ground
sampling and statistics, through to sophisticated spatial data processing and analysis. As the collection of
ground plot data for model calibration and validation is a critical component of the recommended
approach, we have placed appropriate emphasis on this section of the guide.

White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Varhola, A., Vastaranta, M., Coops, N.C., Cook, B.D., Pitt, D, Woods, M. 2013. A
best practices guide for generating forest inventory attributes from airborne laser scanning data using
the area-based approach. Information Report FI-X-10. Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wood Fibre
Centre, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, B.C. 50 p.

English language version:

http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=34887
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250306293_A_best_practices_guide_for_generating_forest_i
nventory_attributes_from_airborne_laser_scanning_data_using_an_area-based_approach

French language version:

http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=35375
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311325315_Guide_des_meilleures_pratiques_pour_generer_
des_attributs_d%27inventaire_forestier_provenant_de_donnees_obtenues_par_balayage_laser_aeropor
te_en_utilisant_une_approche_par_zones

White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Varhola, A., Vastaranta, M., Coops, N.C., Cook, B.D., Pitt, D, Woods, M. 2013. A
best practices guide for generating forest inventory attributes from airborne laser scanning data using
the area-based approach. The Forestry Chronicle, 89(6): 722–723. DOI: 10.5558/tfc2013-132

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260163754_A_best_practices_guide_for_generating_forest_i
nventory_attributes_from_airborne_laser_scanning_data_using_an_area-based_approach

White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Whitehead, R. 2013. A best practices guide for generating forest inventory
attributes from airborne laser scanning data using an area based approach. BC Forest Professional,
20(6): 20–21.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313797277_A_Best_Practices_Guide_for_Generating_Forest_
Inventory_Attributes_from_Airborne_Laser_Scanning_Data_Using_an_Area-Based_Approach

3
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Enhanced-Forest-Inventory

Best Practices (continued):

NEW
White, J.C., Tompalski, P., Vastaranta, M., Wulder, M.A., Saarinen, S., Stepper, C., Coops, N.C. 2017. A
model development and application guide for generating an enhanced forest inventory using airborne
laser scanning data and an area-based approach. 2017. CWFC Information Report FI-X-018, Canadian
Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre: Victoria, BC, Canada. 38 pp.

Airborne Laser Scanning data—also known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)—enables the accurate
three-dimensional characterization of vertical forest structure. Airborne Laser Scanning data have proven
to be an information-rich asset for forest managers, enabling the generation of highly detailed digital
elevation models and the estimation of a range of forest inventory attributes (e.g., height, basal area, and
volume). Good practice guidance synthesizes current knowledge from the scientific literature and
practical experience to provide non-experts more detailed information about complex topics. With this
guide, our goal is to inform and enable readers interested in using Airborne Laser Scanning data to
characterize, in an operational forest inventory context, large forest areas in a cost-effective manner.

English language version: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pubwarehouse/pdfs/38945.pdf

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323166566_A_model_development_and_application_guide_f
or_generating_an_enhanced_forest_inventory_using_airborne_laser_scanning_data_and_an_area-
based_approach

French language version: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pubwarehouse/pdfs/38983.pdf

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323166671_Guide_pour_l'elaboration_et_l'application_de_m
odeles_en_vue_de_l'etablissement_d'un_inventaire_forestier_ameliore_par_l'emploi_de_donnees_de_b
alayage_laser_aeroporte_et_d'une_analyse_axee_sur_les_regi

4
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Digital Aerial Photogrammetry (DAP; image-based point clouds):

Goodbody, T.R.H., Coops, N.C., White, J.C. 2019. Digital aerial photogrammetry for updating area-based
forest inventories: A review of opportunities, issues, and future directions. Current Forestry Reports,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-019-00087-2.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331903100_Digital_Aerial_Photogrammetry_for_Updating_Ar
ea-Based_Forest_Inventories_A_Review_of_Opportunities_Challenges_and_Future_Directions

White, J.C., Stepper, C., Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A. 2015 Comparing ALS and image-based
point cloud metrics and modelled forest inventory attributes in a complex coastal forest environment.
Forests, 4: 518–536. DOI: 10.3390/f6103704.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282858801_Comparing_ALS_and_Image-
Based_Point_Cloud_Metrics_and_Modelled_Forest_Inventory_Attributes_in_a_Complex_Coastal_Forest
_Environment

White, J.C. 2016. Characterizing three-dimensional forest structure from digital aerial photogrammetry:
a competing or complementary technology to airborne LiDAR? BC Forest Professional. March-April,
2016: 12–13.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299484516_Characterizing_three-
dimensional_forest_structure_from_digital_aerial_photogrammetry_a_competing_or_complementary_t
echnology_to_airborne_LiDAR

Vastaranta, M., Wulder, M. A., White, J. C., Pekkarinen, A., Tuominen, S., Ginzler, C., Kankare, V.,
Holopainen, M., Hyyppä, J. and Hyyppä, H. 2013. Airborne laser scanning and digital stereo imagery
measures of forest structure: Comparative results and implications to forest mapping and inventory
update. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 39(5): 382–395. DOI:10.5589/m13-046.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260163532_Airborne_laser_scanning_and_digital_stereo_ima
gery_measures_of_forest_structure_Comparative_results_and_implications_to_forest_mapping_and_inv
entory_update

White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Vastaranta, M., Coops, N.C., Pitt, D., Woods, M. 2013. The utility of image-
based point clouds for forest inventory: A comparison with airborne laser scanning. Forests, 4: 518–536.
[Review Paper] DOI:10.3390/f4030518
RG link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249008751_The_Utility_of_Image-
Based_Point_Clouds_for_Forest_Inventory_A_Comparison_with_Airborne_Laser_Scanning

Vastaranta, M., Niemi, M., Wulder, M.A., White, J.C., Nurminen, K., Litkey, P., Honkavaara, E., Holopainen,
M., Hyyppä. J. 2016. Forest stand age classification using time series of photogrammetrically derived
digital surface models. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 31(2): 194–205.
DOI:10.1080/02827581.2015.1060256
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278560199_Forest_stand_age_classification_using_time_seri
es_of_photogrammetrically_derived_digital_surface_models

5
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Enhanced-Forest-Inventory

Methods, Data Considerations, Validation:

Tompalski, P., White, J.C., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A., 2019. Demonstrating the transferability of forest
inventory attribute models derived using airborne laser scanning data. Remote Sensing of Environment,
227:110-124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2019.04.006

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332423694_Demonstrating_the_transferability_of_forest_inv
entory_attribute_models_derived_using_airborne_laser_scanning_data

White, J.C., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A., Vastaranta, M., Hilker, T., Tompalski, P. 2016. Remote sensing
technologies for enhancing forest inventories: A review. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 42(5):
619–641. DOI: 10.1080/07038992.2016.1207484

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305682342_Remote_Sensing_Technologies_for_Enhancing_F
orest_Inventories_A_Review

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A. 2015. Enriching ALS-derived area-based estimates
through tree-level downscaling. Forests, 6(8): 2608-2630. DOI: 10.3390/f6103704

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280576353_Enriching_ALS-Derived_Area-
Based_Estimates_of_Volume_through_Tree-Level_Downscaling

White, J.C., Arnett, J.T.T.R., Wulder, M.A., Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C. 2015. Evaluating the impact of leaf-
on and leaf-off airborne laser scanning data on the estimation of forest inventory attributes with the
area-based approach. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 45: 1498-1513. DOI: 10.1139/cjfr-2015-0192

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305682342_Remote_Sensing_Technologies_for_Enhancing_F
orest_Inventories_A_Review

White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Buckmaster, G. 2014. Validating estimates of merchantable volume from
airborne laser scanning (ALS) data using weight scale data. The Forestry Chronicle, 90(9): 378–385. DOI:
10.5558/tfc2014-072

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262911316_Validating_estimates_of_merchantable_volume_f
rom_airborne_laser_scanning_ALS_data_using_weight_scale_data

6
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Enhanced-Forest-Inventory

Ecosystem goods and services/expanded applications:

Goodbody, T.R.H., Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Sanelli, M. 2020. Uncovering
spatial and ecological variability in gap size frequency distributions in the Canadian boreal forest. Scientific
Reports, 10(1):6069. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62878-z

White, J.C., Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A. 2018. Comparison of airborne laser scanning and
digital stereo imagery for characterizing forest canopy gaps in coastal temperate rainforests. Remote
Sensing of Environment, 208: 1–14. DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2018.02.002
RG link :
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323152787_Comparison_of_airborne_laser_scanning_and_di
gital_stereo_imagery_for_characterizing_forest_canopy_gaps_in_coastal_temperate_rainforests

Tompalski, P., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A. Yuill, A. 2017. Characterizing streams and riparian
areas with airborne laser scanning data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 192: 73–86.
RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313706256_Characterizing_streams_and_riparian_areas_with
_airborne_laser_scanning_data

Enhanced/refined prediction:

Mulverhill, C., Coops, N.C., White, J.C., Tompalski, P., Marshall, P.L., Bailey, T. 2018. Enhancing the
estimation of stem-size distributions for unimodal and bimodal stands in a boreal mixedwood forest
with airborne laser scanning data. Forests, 9(2): 95. DOI:10.3390/f9020095.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323274591_Enhancing_the_Estimation_of_Stem-
Size_Distributions_for_Unimodal_and_Bimodal_Stands_in_a_Boreal_Mixedwood_Forest_with_Airborne_
Laser_Scanning_Data

Bolton, D.K., White, J.C., Wulder, M.A., Coops, N.C. 2018. Updating stand-level forest inventories using
airborne laser scanning and Landsat time series data. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation
and Geoinformation, 66: 174–183.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322405739_Updating_stand-
level_forest_inventories_using_airborne_laser_scanning_and_Landsat_time_series_data

7
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Wood and fibre quality:

van Leeuwen, M., Hilker, T., Coops, N.C., Frazer, G.W., Wulder, M.A., Newnham, G.J., Culvenor, D.S. 2011.
Assessment of standing wood and fiber quality using ground and airborne laser scanning: A review.
Forest Ecology and Management, 261: 1467–1478. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2011.01.032.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236455354_Assessment_of_standing_wood_and_fiber_qualit
y_using_ground_and_airborne_laser_scanning_A_review

Hilker, T., Frazer, G.W., Coops, N.C., Wulder, M.A., Newnham, G.J., Stewart, J.D., van Leeuwen, M.,
Culvenor, D.S. 2013. Prediction of wood fiber attributes from lidar-derived forest canopy indicators.
Forest Science, 59(2): 231–242. DOI: 10.5849/forsci.11-074.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236455472_Prediction_of_Wood_Fiber_Attributes_from_LiD
AR-Derived_Forest_Canopy_Indicators

Miscellaneous:

Stinson, G., White, J.C. 2018. What’s the difference between EFI and NFI? Demystifying current
acronyms in forest inventory in Canada. BC Forest Professional. January/February, 2018: 10-11.

RG link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323427920_BC_Forest_Professional

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