lidR: An R package for analysis of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data

• DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2020.112061
• Publication Date: 2020-09-24T08:42:39Z
• Authors: Jean-Romain Roussel; David Auty; Nicholas C. Coops; Piotr Tompalski; Tristan R.H. Good...; Andrew Sánchez Me...; Jean-François Bou...; Florian de Boissieu; Alexis Achim
• Keywords: Laser Scanning

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is a remote sensing technology known for its applicability in natural resources management. By quantifying the three-dimensional structure of vegetation and underlying terrain using technology, ALS has been used extensively enhancing geospatial knowledge fields forestry ecology. Structural descriptions provide means estimating range ecologically pertinent attributes, such as height, volume, above-ground biomass. The efficient processing large, often technically complex datasets requires dedicated algorithms software. continued promise tool improving ecological understanding dependent on user-created tools, methods, approaches. Due to proliferation among academic, governmental, private-sector communities, paired with requirements address growing demand open accessible data, community recognising importance free open-source software (FOSS) user-defined workflows. Herein, we describe philosophy behind development lidR package. Implemented R environment C/C++ backend, free, cross-platform created enable simple creative workflows ecology communities data. We review current by research community, doing so raise awareness successes challenges associated parameterisation common implementation Through detailed description package, key considerations design that enables users implement tools. also discuss algorithm choices make package representative 'state-of-the-art' highlight some internal limitations through examples time discrepancies. conclude applications like are fundamental developing transparent, flexible tools ensure not only reproducible workflows, but offer researchers space required progress discipline.