Data quality analysis after hyperspectral LiDAR sequentially mapping trees

Abstract. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR), as an innovative remote sensing tool, not only captures target reflectance but also provides its morphological parameters. Traditional single/multi-band LiDAR and multispectral LiDAR (MSL) are presently employed in applications such as 3D modeling and plant biochemical parameter inversion albeit with effectiveness limited. Moreover, hyperspectral LiDAR (HSL) distinguished by its expanded array of spectral detection channels and enhanced spectral resolution, has proven more effective in meeting these requirements and also exhibits superior capabilities in both feature and land cover classification tasks. Nevertheless, point clouds acquired through HSL frequently exhibit quality deficiencies, including uneven density and excessive noise. Meanwhile, there exists a notable absence of technical specifications and operational standards governing the measurement protocols for HSL systems globally. To address this gap, this study constructed a systematic analysis framework of data quality in hyperspectral point clouds and endeavors to qualitatively analyse 30 tree point clouds continuously scanned with Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) 8-band hyperspectral laser scanner. Furthermore, this research validated the theoretical feasibility of employing the 8-band HSL system for inversion processes aimed at quantifying chlorophyll leaf content. Apart from detecting the time-varying patterns of reflectance within birch canopy point clouds, the results of this study also effectively pinpointed the band exhibiting heightened noise level of the HSL system, demonstrating the efficacy of our proposed quality analysis methodology. The endeavor presented in this study can serve as a cornerstone for advancing hyperspectral LiDAR across a diverse array of related remote sensing and earth observation applications.