A framework for phenotyping rubber trees under intense wind stress using laser scanning and digital twin technology

Abstract

Rubber trees in coastal habitats are exposed to a high degree of wind stress. An algorithm-hardware synergetic methodology was developed for investigating and predicting rubber tree phenotyping excited by strong winds. The framework includes (1) a custom-designed industrial fan that recreates a variable airflow field at wind speeds of 15, 30 and 45 m/s coupled with a terrestrial laser scanner and bundled motion sensors to acquire point clouds and vibration data; (2) a graphic model that approximates tree canopies based on foliage clumps with phenotypic traits that are derived from point clouds captured while trees are subjected to aerodynamic drag; and (3) the wind characteristic parameters of forest canopies were calculated by a developed forest-specialized k-ε turbulence model combining the constructed tree models and grid-scale subdivision of the wind fluid field. (4) A digital twin model that incorporates detailed tree phenotypic traits and considers plant mechanical characteristics was established, depicting the related wind-induced actions of target trees under various wind influences. The results show that tree crowns with spreading forms are prone to yield larger pendulum amplitudes than compact crowns, but trees directly exposed to wind exhibit greater crown volume reductions than trees in sheltered areas. Within tree canopies, a one-fold increase in inlet wind speed intensified crown compression (approximately 17 % decrease in crown volume), generated 2.1-fold pressure gradients and increased turbulence kinetic energy by approximately 60 %. Moreover, the entire scenario of the adaptation of experimental trees to wind perturbations was visually restored using digital twin techniques, serving as an integral behaviour dataset for further data-driven decision-making. In summary, this paper presents a comprehensive methodology that can decipher the phenotypic manifestations of trees' reactions to wind hazards, with potential applications in phenotyping or envirotyping studies designed to evaluate the wind resistance properties of rubber trees.