LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) employs laser pulses to map 3D structures and terrain, proving invaluable in both agriculture and forestry.

In agriculture, LiDAR enables precision farming by generating detailed elevation maps and capturing crop canopy data. This helps optimize irrigation, prevent soil erosion, estimate biomass, and predict yields using metrics like leaf area index (LAI) and crop volume. LiDAR also empowers autonomous farm machinery with obstacle detection and accurate navigation.

In forestry, LiDAR dramatically enhances forest inventory and management. It measures individual tree height, crown diameter, canopy density, and biomass—essential for carbon stock assessment, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable harvesting planning. Drone and airborne-mounted LiDAR systems aid in wildfire risk mapping, detecting pest damage, and monitoring post-disturbance recovery.

Despite requiring specialized processing tools, LiDAR’s speed, accuracy, and multi-layer insights make it an increasingly essential tool in modern land management.

Prepared by:
Harun Jantrik
Bahagian Inovasi Digital dan Kebijakan

Date of Input: 29/08/2025 | Updated: 30/08/2025 | zuraya