Tropical forest tree positioning accuracy: a comparison of low cost GNSS-enabled devices

Abstract

Today, faster than any previous communication technology, mobile technology such as smartphones, tablet phone and notebook has made a huge difference to the lives of a great number of people. Although one can collect data through a number of traditional channels, e.g. pen and paper and more advanced survey equipment, low cost smartphone and tablet phone are emerging as a good choice. To investigate the potential and performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-enabled smartphone and tablet phone in data collection, a study has been conducted at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FR1M) Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. Geotrees mobile collector using a Sony Xperia C3 smartphone and Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 were used to geo-locate the attributes of tree species within the area of interest. Comparison was then made using a handheld GPS and a Total Station. The findings indicate that the horizontal positioning accuracy detected by the instruments used in this study were mostly accurate within 5 to 15m. The root mean square (RMS) errors were higher in the areas surrounded by larger canopy diameter trees. Based on the result, despite limited coverage of sky visibility, a GNSS-enabled smartphone and tablet phone was sufficiently adequate to augment the purpose of tree inventory for a certain area, and might suit to serve for low accuracy application.