Evolution of Forest Tree DBH Measurement Technologies: From Contact-Based Traditional Approaches to Remote Sensing Non-Contact Methods

Abstract

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is a key parameter in forest measurement. However, existing research has mostly focused on improving the accuracy of individual technologies, lacking a systematic synthesis of the evolutionary logic of measurement techniques and a standardized selection framework for forestry applications. To this end, this paper constructs a multi-level classification framework based on measurement platforms and technical principles, establishes for the first time a five-dimensional comprehensive evaluation system (covering accuracy, efficiency, cost, environmental adaptability, and automation) along with a hierarchical technology decision tree, and systematically analyzes the application logic of multi-source fusion technologies across three levels: ground-based, near-ground mobile, and aerial. The review indicates that traditional contact-based measurement has limited efficiency; modern remote sensing technologies (photogrammetry and LiDAR) offer significant advantages in automation and accuracy, but still face challenges such as high equipment costs, complex data processing, and poor environmental adaptability. Multi-source fusion and machine learning are key methods to overcome the limitations of single sensors and improve the robustness of DBH estimation. Finally, it is anticipated that with decreasing sensor costs and the advancement of intelligent algorithms, DBH measurement will continue to evolve toward automation, intelligence, and engineering practicality, providing technical support for large-scale, long-term, and repeatable forest monitoring.

Code and data availability

This is a review article synthesizing published DBH measurement technologies. It presents no authors' phenotype datasets, images, point clouds, code, models, or supplements; all cited studies are prior work, and the listed DOIs are references, not paper-specific assets.

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