| Title: |
Trends and Developments in the Realm of Virtual Forest Visualization |
| Authors: |
Kushwaha, Sunni Kanta Prasad; Hristova, Hristina; Fol, Cyprien R.; id_orcid:0 000-0001-6893-9899; Hands, Tom; Murtiyoso, Arnadi; Coltekin, Arzu; Fedosov, Anton; Holm, Stefan; Costa, Maximiliano; Bugmann, Harald; Griess, Verena; Schweier, Janine |
| Source: |
Current Forestry Reports, 12 (1) |
| Publisher Information: |
Springer |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
ETH Zürich Research Collection |
| Subject Terms: |
Augmented reality; Computer graphics; Mixed reality; 3D modeling; virtual reality |
| Description: |
Purpose of the Review We aim to present virtual forest visualization in an accessible manner to help a broad audience understand this concept along with spatial data integration to create digital environments that closely replicate real-world forests. Such efforts are motivated by a multitude of reasons, from creating a virtual science laboratory to guiding real-world applications. The digital reconstruction of forests is an evolving field in forestry, with close connections to computer science and data science. The key considerations in visualization are also explained in detail which are crucial part of visualization like Input and output data along with challenges and constraints. Findings Recent advancements in digital sensing technologies have improved forest visualizations considerably. Data from techniques such as LiDAR and photogrammetry, along with other forest information, have facilitated the creation of highly detailed and accurate virtual forest models. These technologies not only capture the geometric structure of forests, but also enable the interactive exploration of different layers, from the canopy to the forest floor. The integration of these methods with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and various user interfaces has further enhanced the spatial accuracy and contextual relevance of virtual forests. A major breakthrough in forest visualization is the incorporation of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Augmented (AR), Virtual (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). These tools enable users to experience forest environments in a fully immersive way, without the need for physical presence. Given that some forests are prohibitively difficult to reach and navigate, and that some experiences can be greatly enriched by overlaying virtual elements onto the real world, XR experiences offer a valuable alternative to traditional data visualization approaches. Additionally, we also present four case studies to showcase the applications of visualization in the European forest context which can be ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/wos/001658182800001; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/793073 |
| DOI: |
10.3929/ethz-c-000793073 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/793073; https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-c-000793073 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ; Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.4FC3ED2A |
| Database: |
BASE |