Abstract

This paper reports the decision-making process of a forest company to implement LiDAR technology for mapping and inventory issues. The methodology consisted in comparing the accuracy obtained by using LiDAR-derived data, with that obtained by both photogrammetry and satellite imagery in two applications: i) altimetric accuracy on profile estimation, and ii) planimetric accuracy on perimeter and area estimation. As a result, LiDAR showed greater accuracy than alternative methods in the altimetric analysis; however, LiDAR did not show significant differences with the photogrametric method in the planimetric analysis. The economic evaluation of incorporating LiDAR for planning harvesting, forest tracks and plantations establishment, resulted profitable with a net present value of USD $ 2 095 000, at a discount rate of 10%.