LiDAR DEM validation in shrub areas at Reynolds Mountain East subwatershed

Ground and shrub cover surveys were conducted in two dense shrub areas in Reynolds Mountain East catchment, the upper part of the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed. We used total station to measure ground elevation; Shrub cover data were collected using the line intercept method, along with foliage height, woody shrub height and the lowest branch height. We found that in the two plots with similar terrain condition, shrub cover and structure affect the liDAR DEM accuracy. Area with taller and denser shrubs exhibits larger error; LiDAR point density difference may also play a part.