LiDAR and Drones

LiDAR in Forestry - from stand to single tree

Copture delivers LiDAR surveys with drones for forestry – from stand-level mapping to single tree analysis. With typical point densities of around 1500 points/m² or higher, we capture canopy, ground points and understory in one mission. drones for forestry - from stands down to single trees. With over 1500 points/m², we capture crown shape, height, crown diameter and crown cover, even below the canopy thanks to multiple returns.

The result is a quality-assured point cloud (LAS/LAZ), CHM/DTM/DSM and colored data that provides decision support for inventory, planning and follow-up. We offer both project delivery and DaaS (Data as a Service) with portal/API, history and comparisons over time. The data is used directly in forestry planning, long-term production planning and action follow-up, and is compatible with software such as QGIS, ArcGIS, SilvaPro and the Swedish Forest Agency's planning tools.

Drones make data collection flexible, safe and cost-effective - ideal when you need high precision, short lead times and repeated measurements in dynamic environments. Copture is your partner for industrial scale and tree-level detail.

Want to see more uses in forestry? Read more Forest inventory with drones.

Benefits of drones equipped with Lidar

Tree-level insights: Single Tree segmentation for height, volume, crown size and health assessment.
More signal, less noise: 1500 p/m² (and higher if needed) provides more stable volume estimates, better crown contours and more reliable soil models in dense forest.
Canopy penetration: Accurate ground models even in dense forests and under canopy.
Industrial-grade quality: Consistent point density, calibrated sensors, and QC reporting.
Fast turnaround: drones require small windows and short planning - ideal for recurrent measurements.
Straight into your flow: delivery in LAS/LAZ, GeoTIFF and GeoPackage + report and metadata. DaaS for portal, API and time series.
More uses: support for forest protection, damage management and risk and fire risk modeling, and support for nature conservation and monitoring of carbon sequestration.

Technology and methodology: LiDAR and drones for forest inventory

Sensor and flight: UAV-borne LiDAR with multiple returns and synchronous RGB (nadir + oblique ~45°). Flight profiles are optimized for low scan angle and uniform coverage; typically 1500 p/m² or more in focus areas.

Position and accuracy: RTK/PPK combined with selected GCPs provides low vertical/horizontal uncertainty and independent control.

Processing and QC: Trajectories, boresight/strip-alignment, classification (soil/vegetation), DTM/DSM/CHM (see Lantmäteriets Ground elevation model Download), point cloud coloring and QC report (residuals, point density map).

Delivery: LAS/LAZ with intensity, GeoTIFF (DTM/DSM/CHM), single tree vector layer, report/metadata. Standard: SWEREF 99 TM / RH2000. Point clouds and rasters can also be broken down into elevation classes for reporting and planning (e.g. carbon sequestration and nature conservation).

Choose us over helicopter-aircraft-satellite

Resolution where the decisions are taken: Drone + low altitude
⇒ extreme point density and Single Tree even in dense forest.
Under the Canopy for real: Multiple returns provide ground and structure where photogrammetry and satellite are not enough.
Cost and timing: Cheaper and faster to mobilize for high-resolution data, especially for recurrent measurements.
Safety and environment: Low risk, low noise profile, minimal impact.
Year-on-year comparability: DaaS ensures methodology and quality over time - real time series, not one-off measurements
Combination when it pays off: Airplane/helicopter works for lower density background. Copture adds precision where it counts: at tree level. It also provides a better basis for forest protection, damage control and risk/fire risk modeling in operational use.

FAQ

What is Single Tree LiDAR?

Single Tree LiDAR means that every single tree is measured individually. You get data on height, volume and crown size - even in dense forest.

When are LiDAR and drones better than helicopters?

Drones with LiDAR are more cost-effective, provide a higher level of detail and can collect data even under the canopy, where helicopters often miss.

What data formats do you deliver?

We deliver LAS/LAZ, DSM, DTM, CHM, GeoTIFF, GeoPackage as well as reports and metadata with quality assurance.

How accurate is the measurement?

With point densities around 1500 points per square meter or more, in combination with RTK/PPK, we achieve very high precision at both stand and tree level.

How quickly will I get the results?

Delivery time depends on the size of the area, but you'll usually get finished results in days to weeks - faster than traditional methods.

Can you measure under canopy?

Yes, the LiDAR pulses penetrate branches and foliage, making it possible to measure even the ground surface under dense vegetation.

What is the cost of LiDAR with drones?

The price depends on the size of the area, terrain and level of detail. Drone-based LiDAR is usually more affordable than helicopter or airborne laser scanning.