On the accuracy of GNSS in forests : a test of consumer-grade GNSS equipment, smartphones and open-source postprocessing software under forest canopies, for mapping of forest species

Abstract

The forests are home of two thirds of the red listed species in Norway. To safeguard these species when doing forest management, it is important to know where their respective biotopes are. When mapping species the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is often used. However, forest canopies also represents a challenge for this technology. In Norway, volunteers and hobbyists do most species mapping and it is expected that mappers will apply smartphones for obtaining coordinates in the future. This thesis assess how smartphones, as GNSS units, function under forest canopies.