Mapping the Uncharted: LiDAR in Northern BC’s Old-Growth Forests

In the summer of 2024, Map IQ took on a project to help a Northern B.C. First Nation map its territory. Scanning previously uncharted old-growth forests with drone LiDAR technology was also a unique opportunity to provide hands-on training to the Nation, empowering them to carry out surveys in the complex terrain around their lands.

The project’s logistics were challenging. The survey spanned 30km² of remote wilderness. Unpredictable weather, mountainous terrain, limited access points, and active wildlife, including bears and moose, required a creative and considered approach. With a narrow forecast weather window to capture the data, Map IQ approached the project with a solutions-focussed mindset and created a plan that maximized opportunities and limited risk.

Being based onsite made it easier for Map IQ to work work around the variable and unpredictable local weather conditions.

Establishing a remote onsite base, Map IQ completed ground control, LiDAR flights, and data processing of the area in just five days. We avoided a lot of potential and common headaches with a project of this complexity by having surveying expertize onsite. Processing data simultaneously with capture meant we were able to verify the dataset was complete and accurate before leaving site.

But this project wasn’t just about the data. Map IQ provided direct, hands-on drone and LiDAR training to members of the Nation on their own equipment. Since this project, the Nation have already undertaken several challenging data captures independently, leveraging the knowledge Map IQ shared.

Final deliverables for the project were tailored to the client’s specifications and verified to be optimized for their software and use case. The deliverable package included:

• Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

• Digital Surface Model (DSM)

• Hillshade Model

• Tree Canopy Height Model

• Classified Optimised Point Cloud

• Comprehensive report detailing method, results, and considerations

Extracted 3d ground model of one of the surveyed areas.