Mathematical methods of modelling the morphology of spruce trees

0424064 - ÚVGZ 2014 RIV CZ eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Janoutová, Růžena - Novotný, Jan - Pivovarník, Marek - Zemek, František
Mathematical methods of modelling the morphology of spruce trees.
Global Change and Resilience: From Impacts to Responses : Proceedings of the 3rd annual Global Change and Resilience Conference. Brno: Global change research centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i, 2013 - (Stojanov, R.; Žalud, Z.; Cudlín, P.; Farda, A.; Urban, O.; Trnka, M.), s. 163-167. ISBN 978-80-904351-8-6.
[Global Change and Resilience. Brno (CZ), 22.05.2013-24.05.2013]
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0073; GA MŠMT OC09001; GA MŠMT(CZ) LM2010007
Institutional support: RVO:67179843
Keywords : 3-D spruce model * L-system * radiative transfer
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

Radiative transfer (RT) models are simulation tools which can be used to quantify relationships between vegetation canopy properties and observed remotely sensed data. Th is study aims at creating a spruce tree growth model as a key input for use in RT models. Th e spruce tree model is built on data obtained from terrestrial laser scanning of spruce trees. Each tree model is unique. Th is uniqueness is achieved by using L-systems which are able to simulate natural randomness while complying with the given tree parameters. L-systems are established on a theory of grammar that enables rewriting a string of symbols according to specifi ed rewriting rules. In practice, our tree models are generated in Blender visualization soft ware, implementing an algorithm written in Python. Th e algorithm generates the basic parameters of the whole tree and then creates the parameters of the spruce trunk and initial branches. Th e parameters are generated randomly within a range that is calculated from measured data. Th en each branch is grown on the basis of annual increments defi ned by fi eld measurements. Tree needles are distributed with respect to the age of individual branches; therefore, the needles have diff erent colours according to their age. Cones and faces are graphical representations of the spruce model. Branches are represented by cones and needles are represented by faces around the branches. Th e faces are transparent, thus simulating light transmittance in-between the needles. The whole model is highly computationally demanding, especially with respect to computer memory.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0230129