# Automated forest inventory: Analysis of high-density airborne LiDAR point clouds with 3D deep learning

*PRI Rank #8 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Forest ecology and management Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/forest-ecology-and-management/2026/rank-8*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #8 |
| 18m citations | 53 |
| Journal | Remote Sensing of Environment |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.rse.2024.114078 |
| Corresponding authors | Binbin Xiang |
| Institution | ETH Zürich, Switzerland |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Forest ecology and management Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/forest-ecology-and-management/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1016/j.rse.2024.114078](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114078)

## Topics

airborne lidar · point cloud · 3D deep learning · ForAINet · deep learning segmentation · individual tree detection · deep learning segmentation · FOR-Instance dataset · canopy height · individual tree detection · individual tree detection · individual tree detection · Digital elevation model (DEM) · stand density · surveying drones · individual tree detection · live branches · dead branches · forest inventory · biophysical parameters

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Forest ecology and management Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/forest-ecology-and-management/2026. Accessed 2026-07-23.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```