The accuracy of the description regarding tree architecture is crucial for data processing. LiDAR technology is an efficient solution for capturing the characteristics of individual trees. The aim of the present study was to analyze tree shape variability in a mixed oak forest consisting of four European white oak species: Quercus petraea, Q. frainetto, Q. pubescens, and Q. robur. Moreover, we tested for association between tree shape and individual heterozygosity and whether oak trees identified as pollen donors in a previous genetic study have a larger size in terms of crown and trunk characteristics than non-donors. The woody structure of a tree was defined by the quantitative structure model (QSM) providing information about topology (branching structure), geometry, and volume. For extracting the 3D point clouds a high-speed 3D scanner (FARO FocusS 70) was used. The crown variables were strongly correlated to each other, the branch volume being influenced by branch length, maximum branch order, and the number of branches but not influenced by diameter at breast height (DBH), trunk length, trunk volume, or tree height. There was no relationship between the individual heterozygosity based on nuclear microsatellite genetic markers and crown and trunk characteristics, respectively. Branch volume, total area, DBH, trunk volume, and the total volume of tree were significantly larger in pollen donors compared to non-donor Q. petraea trees. Thus, the mean branch volume was more than three times higher. Pollen donors had nearly two and half times larger total area in comparison to non-donor individuals. Our results suggest that a thorough characterization of tree phenotype using terrestrial laser scanning may contribute to a better understanding of mating system patterns in oak forests.

中文翻译：

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陆地激光技术在橡树混交林中的树形变异：对交配系统分析的启示

关于树结构的描述的准确性对于数据处理至关重要。LiDAR技术是捕获单个树木特征的有效解决方案。本研究的目的是分析树形状的变化在混合栎林由四个欧洲白橡木品种：无梗花栎，问：frainetto，问：毛竹，并问：栎。此外，我们测试了树形与个体杂合性之间的关联性，以及在先前的遗传研究中确定为花粉供体的橡树在树冠和树干特征方面是否比非供体更大。树木的木质结构由定量结构模型（QSM）定义，该模型提供有关拓扑（分支结构），几何形状和体积的信息。为了提取3D点云，使用了高速3D扫描仪（FARO FocusS 70）。冠变量彼此之间密切相关，分支体积受分支长度，最大分支顺序和分支数量的影响，但不受胸高（DBH）直径，树干长度，树干体积或树高的影响。基于核微卫星遗传标记的个体杂合度与冠和躯干特征分别没有关系。与非供体相比，花粉供体的分支体积，总面积，DBH，树干体积和树木总体积显着更大Q.豆科树木。因此，平均分支体积高出三倍以上。与非捐赠者相比，花粉捐赠者的总面积大了近两倍半。我们的结果表明，使用陆地激光扫描对树表型进行全面表征可能有助于更好地了解橡树林中的交配系统模式。