Quantifying the spatial properties of forest canopy gaps using LiDAR imagery and GIS.

Koukoulas, S. and Blackburn, G. Alan (2004) Quantifying the spatial properties of forest canopy gaps using LiDAR imagery and GIS. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 25 (15). pp. 3049-3071. ISSN 1366-5901

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Abstract

The spatial properties of gaps have an important influence upon the regeneration dynamics and species composition of forests. However, such properties can be difficult to quantify over large spatial areas using field measurements. This research considers how we conceptualize and define forest canopy gaps from a remote sensing point of view and highlights the inadequacies of passive optical remotely sensed data for delineating gaps. The study employs the analytical functions of a geographical information system to extract gap spatial characteristics from imagery acquired by an active remote sensing device, an airborne light detection and ranging instrument (LiDAR). These techniques were applied to an area of semi-natural broadleaved deciduous forest, in order to map gap size, shape complexity, vegetation height diversity and gap connectivity. A vegetation cover map derived from imagery from an airborne multispectral scanner was used in combination with the LiDAR data to characterize the dominant vegetation types within gaps. Although the quantification of these gap characteristics alone is insufficient to provide conclusive evidence on specific processes, the paper demonstrates how such information can be indicative of the general status of a forest and can provide new perspectives and possibilities or further ecological research and forest monitoring activities.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Remote Sensing
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/g1
Subjects:
?? EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES(ALL)G GEOGRAPHY (GENERAL) ??
ID Code:
423
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
07 Feb 2007
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Sep 2023 00:19