Terrestrial LiDAR Scans in the CTFS-ForestGEO Plot at Harvard Forest 2021

In heavily forested and jungle environments where GPS reception is unavailable due to dense canopy cover, it is difficult to determine one's location. Currently, either visual landmarks are used, or open clearings are found where GPS reception can be reestablished. Alternatively, dead-reckoning systems that rely on Inertial Measurement Unit sensor suites can help over moderate distances, but these devices cannot retain positional accuracy over extended ranges. Creare proposes to address this problem by developing the Tree Positioning System. This technological solution will combine a metrology system for determining local tree maps, and geolocalization algorithms that perform spatial pattern matching of local tree maps against a georegistered reference tree map of the area. This system was tested by scanning trees in the ForestGEO plot at Harvard Forest in June 2021.