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Characterization of Canopy Layering in Forested Ecosystems Using Full Waveform Lidar

Author:
Swatantran, Anu
Published:
April 22, 2013.
Physical Description:
1 electronic document
Additional Creators:
Dubayah, Ralph, Blair, J. Bryan, Whitehurst, Amanda S., and Hofton, Michelle A.
Online Version

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Summary:
Canopy structure, the vertical distribution of canopy material, is an important element of forest ecosystem dynamics and habitat preference. Although vertical stratification, or "canopy layering," is a basic characterization of canopy structure for research and forest management, it is difficult to quantify at landscape scales. In this paper we describe canopy structure and develop methodologies to map forest vertical stratification in a mixed temperate forest using full-waveform lidar. Two definitions-one categorical and one continuous-are used to map canopy layering over Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire with lidar data collected in 2009 by NASA's Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS). The two resulting canopy layering datasets describe variation of canopy layering throughout the forest and show that layering varies with terrain elevation and canopy height. This information should provide increased understanding of vertical structure variability and aid habitat characterization and other forest management activities.
Other Subject(s):
Collection:
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) Collection.
Note:
Document ID: 20140010391.
GSFC-E-DAA-TN8838.
Remote Sensing; Volume 5; No. 4; 2014-2036.
Terms of Use and Reproduction:
Copyright, Distribution as joint owner in the copyright.
View MARC record | catkey: 15422251