LiDAR Vegetation Mapping: Free Accessible Data

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has transformed vegetation mapping by providing accurate and high-resolution data. With its ability to capture fine details of vegetation structure, such as canopy height, density, and biomass, LiDAR has become indispensable for environmental studies, urban planning, and forestry management. Fortunately, some data can be accessed for free in Australia, thanks to various open data initiatives. This article explores how to access such data and leverage it for vegetation mapping projects.

Benefits of LiDAR in Vegetation Mapping

High Accuracy: LiDAR data provides precise measurements of vegetation structure, including canopy height and density. Together with satellite images, point cloud data also can assist the assessment of vegetation health by calculating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)
Detailed Analysis: It enables researchers to classify vegetation types, estimate biomass, and monitor changes over time.
Scalability: LiDAR data can be used for small-scale studies or regional mapping projects. With its fast data acquisition, a large area of project can be easily scanned within one or two hours.

Sources of Free LiDAR Data in Australia

Below are some sources of LiDAR Data that can be accessed for free in Australia. Different stakeholders such as general public, scientific and commercial users can download the data and use it for different purposes.

Digital Earth Australia (DEA)

What it Offers: DEA provides access to a variety of geospatial datasets, including satellite imagery and vegetation indices. Some products related to land and vegetation including DEA land cover, DEA surface reflectance, DEA Mangrove canopy cover, and DEA fractional cover.
Access Link: Digital Earth Australia
Application: While DEA focuses primarily on satellite data, it is an excellent resource for integrating ancillary data with LiDAR datasets for comprehensive vegetation mapping.

Geoscience Australia

What it Offers: Geoscience Australia hosts open data portals with access to LiDAR point clouds and derived products.
Access Link: Geoscience Australia Data Portal
How to Use: Navigate to the portal, find ‘Search data & publications’ link, search for “LiDAR” datasets, and download data specific to your area of interest. Geoscience Australia also provides tutorials and resources to help interpret and process the data.

State and Territory Governments

Many Australian states and territories offer free access to LiDAR data through their geospatial data hubs:

New South Wales Spatial Services: NSW Spatial Services Open Data Portal, LiDAR data
Victoria DELWP: Maps and Spatial Data Victoria, VicMap Victoria
Queensland Globe: Queensland Globe, Queensland Lidar Data
Western Australia SLIP: SLIP Data Portal
Northen Territory: Northen Territory Geospatial Resources
Australian Capital Territory: ACT Planning Lidar Data
South Australia: Data South Asutralia, Digital Elevation Model
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Open Topography

What it Offers: Open Topography is a global platform that provides free access to high-resolution LiDAR data.
Access Link: Open Topography
Advantages: Searchable by geographic location, it offers easy access to datasets covering parts of Australia.

AusCover

What it Offers: AusCover, part of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), provides access to LiDAR data and other remote sensing resources.
Access Link: AusCover Portal
Application: Particularly useful for vegetation studies, this platform includes datasets specific to ecological and forestry applications.

Steps to Access and Utilize Free LiDAR Data

Identify Your Area of Interest (AOI): Define the geographic region for your vegetation mapping project.
Search for Available Data: Use the portals listed above to locate LiDAR datasets covering your AOI.
Download Data: Follow the instructions on the respective platforms to download the required datasets. Ensure that the data format is compatible with your processing tools.
Process the Data: Utilize software like CloudCompare, QGIS, or commercial tools such as ArcGIS Pro for analyzing LiDAR point clouds.
Integrate with Other Data: Combine LiDAR data with satellite imagery or other ancillary data for enhanced analysis.

LiDAR vegetation mapping is a powerful tool for ecological research and land management. In Australia, free access to LiDAR and satellite imagery data is available through various government and academic platforms, making it accessible for researchers, students, and professionals alike. By leveraging these resources, you can undertake high-quality vegetation mapping projects without the financial burden of commercial data acquisition.

If you require specific and customized data, we are here to assist with data acquisition using aerial LiDAR or mobile LiDAR, along with comprehensive data processing and analysis powered by geospatial AI. Explore our services and case studies to learn more about how we have successfully supported numerous companies and government agencies in overcoming challenges with the integration of Artificial Intelligence and geospatial data. For tailored solutions or any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at admin@geoai.au.