We’ve welcomed a new addition to our research toolkit at SILVER Lab: the RIEGL VZ-600i Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS).
This instrument expands our options for measuring and examining forest structure in three dimensions, with potential applications in forest ecology, silviculture, and forest management research.
Exploring forest structure in three dimensions
Terrestrial laser scanning uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to capture detailed three-dimensional measurements of surrounding environments. These measurements can be processed into point clouds, providing spatial information about tree geometry, stem dimensions, vegetation arrangement, and forest structural complexity. The RIEGL VZ-600i offers opportunities to complement conventional forest inventory methods with detailed structural measurements.
We’re particularly interested in exploring how these capabilities can support our research on forest conditions, silvicultural practices, and the relationships between forest structure and ecosystem processes. As we begin exploring the scanner’s capabilities, field deployment, point-cloud processing, and data analysis will help determine how best to incorporate this technology into our research.
Watch the unboxing
Our lab’s principal investigator, Dr. Austin Himes, recently unboxed the RIEGL VZ-600i, giving us a closer look at the instrument.
Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at this new addition to our research equipment.
Video: Filmed and produced by Kelechi Ibeh.
Learn more
For technical specifications and additional information about the instrument, visit the official RIEGL VZ-600i product page.