A Guide to LIDAR Data Acquisition and Processing for the Forests of the Pacific Northwest

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is an emerging remote-sensing technology with promising potential to assist in mapping, monitoring, and assessment of forest resources. Continuous technological advancement and substantial reductions in data acquisition cost have enabled acquisition of laser data over entire states and regions. These developments have triggered an explosion of interest in LIDAR technology. Despite a growing body of peer-reviewed literature documenting the merits of LIDAR for forest assessment, management, and planning, there seems to be little information describing in detail the acquisition, quality assessment, and processing of laser data for forestry applications. This report addresses this information deficit by providing a foundational knowledge base containing answers to the most frequently asked questions.