Generation and evaluation of the digital model of the terrain and tree canopy in the National Botanical Garden using UAV-mounted LIDAR technology

This article provides a detailed presentation of the entire process of generating, processing, and evaluating the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and the Canopy Height Model (CHM) within the National Botanical Garden "Alexandru Ciubotaru," using a high-performance LiDAR system mounted on a UAV platform. The investigation includes the stages of aerial data acquisition, automatic filtering and classification of the point cloud, vegetation removal to extract the real topographic surface, and the derivation of tree-canopy height through differentiation between the generated digital models. The dense and highly accurate LiDAR data enable advanced analyses of vegetation vertical structure, spatial distribution of trees, and biometric characteristics associated with individual specimens or forest stands. The obtained results ensure a reliable digital reconstruction of both terrain and vegetation bodies, supporting ecological and dendrometric studies as well as the development of modern tools for the monitoring, conservation, and intelligent management of natural ecosystems.