The area-based approach consists in relating plot-level field measurements with metrics derived from the point cloud extracted over those plots. The obtained models are used to map forest parameters on the whole survey area and to estimate forest statistics. The method is based on four steps :

• field and ALS data preparation;
• prediction model calibration and validation;
• forest parameters mapping and inference.

For more details about the area-based approach, a useful reading is:

A best practices guide for generating forest inventory attributes from airborne laser scanning data using an area-based approach. 2013. White, J.C.; Wulder, M.A.; Varhola, A.; Vastaranta, M.; Coops, N.C.; Cook, B.D.; Pitt, D.; Woods, M. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Victoria, BC. Information Report FI-X-010