Tree species discrimination using Z/I DMC imagery and template matching of single trees

Early results from automatic tree species discrimination, using the Z/I DMC digital aerial photographic camera are reported. The position of single trees is identified using template matching techniques and spectral data are extracted from the sunlit part of each detected tree crown. The imagery was acquired in mid-October 2003 for a test site in western Sweden. A discriminant analysis based on canopy colour yielded 88.7% overall accuracy when discriminating between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and deciduous trees. The promising results are of great practical interest since the Swedish National Land Survey has recently acquired a Z/I DMC camera.