Deep inside the primeval rainforests of Malaysian Borneo, a giant tree stood silently above the canopy — hidden within one of the oldest and most complex ecosystems on Earth.

Located in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, this extraordinary Shorea faguetiana has now been digitally reconstructed and measured using advanced LiDAR technologies through a collaboration between GreenValley International, JURUKUR PROFESSIONAL (Malaysia), and the Peking University Guo Qinghua Research Group.

The project combined drone-mounted LiDAR and handheld LiDAR systems to create a complete high-precision 3D representation of the rainforest, from the forest floor to the canopy crown.

Reconstructing the Rainforest in 3D

Tropical rainforests are among the most challenging environments for traditional surveying and measurement.

Dense vegetation, overlapping canopy structures, uneven terrain, and limited visibility make accurate height measurement extremely difficult using conventional approaches.

To overcome these limitations, UAV LiDAR systems were deployed above the rainforest canopy, capturing billions of laser points across the forest environment.
At the same time, handheld LiDAR systems were used beneath the canopy to capture the lower forest structure and terrain conditions, creating a complete multi-layer digital reconstruction of the environment.

The resulting point cloud data enabled researchers to reconstruct a detailed digital model of the rainforest ecosystem with exceptional structural accuracy.

Using advanced LiDAR processing workflows — including ground point classification, canopy height normalization, and individual tree segmentation — the team was able to isolate and analyze the structure of the giant Shorea faguetiana tree with unprecedented clarity.

Measuring One of Earth's Greatest Living Giants

The final reconstruction revealed a remarkable result.

The Shorea faguetiana measured at 98.3 meters in height, making it recognized as the world’s tallest tropical tree and the tallest flowering plant on Earth.

The project not only demonstrated the precision and efficiency of modern LiDAR workflows, but also highlighted how integrated aerial and ground-based scanning technologies can support advanced ecological research in highly complex natural environments.

Beyond Mapping: LiDAR for Conservation Science

The significance of the project extends far beyond height measurement.

High-precision LiDAR data is increasingly becoming an essential tool for rainforest conservation, biodiversity monitoring, biomass estimation, and carbon sequestration research.

By digitally documenting forest structure at large scale and high accuracy, researchers can better understand ecosystem dynamics, monitor environmental change, and support long-term conservation strategies.

The project also included aerial biological sampling using the LiClip drone branch-cutting system, which successfully collected leaf samples directly from the canopy of the giant tree — demonstrating how UAV technologies are expanding the possibilities of scientific exploration in difficult-to-access environments.

Technology Helping Preserve Ancient Ecosystems

Nature spent more than 130 million years shaping the rainforests of Borneo.

Today, advanced LiDAR technologies allow us to document these ecosystems with a level of precision that was previously impossible.

Through integrated hardware, software, and scientific collaboration, GreenValley International continues to support projects that combine digital mapping, environmental research, and ecological conservation.