Three different methods were used on piles of logging residue.Logging residues are generally an underutilised resource. However, the costs of collecting, processing and transporting logging residues can be high in proportion to its value. In order to accurately predict costs, good estimates of logging residue volumes must be made. Researchers used three methods to determine the logging residue volumes:
- The geometric method – this method, used since the 80’s, determines the volume by first estimating the geometric shape of the pile. The second step determines the volume of the shape.
- A laser rangefinder method – the laser rangefinder is used with an electric compass to collect the coordinates of the pile and calculate the volume.
- LiDAR. This was used as a control for the studies, as it could produce the most accurate results, but is not practically possible to use for the volume determination.
The laser rangefinder produced results that were much closer to the LiDAR estimates than the geometric method. The consistent results from the rangefinder made it the preferred method for estimating the volume of biomass in the piles. This research, titled “An evaluation of alternative measurement techniques for estimating the volume of logging residues”, appeared in Forest Science, Vol. 60(1) 2014. The authors were J Long and K Boston. Source: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/saf/fs/2014/00000060/00000001/art00021