Tree Physiology Advance Access published online on December 5, 2008
Tree Physiology, doi:10.1093/treephys/tpn022
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Estimating forest LAI profiles and structural parameters using a ground-based laser called Echidna®
1 CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, GPO Box 3023, Canberra, ACT 2611, Australia
2 Corresponding author (David.Jupp{at}csiro.au)
3 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, Vic. 3169, Australia
4 Department of Geography and Environment, Boston University, 675 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| Abstract |
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There are many techniques for measuring leaf area index (LAI) and forest canopy foliage profiles but their accuracy is questionable. This paper briefly reviews current methods of estimating forest LAI and presents a novel, ground-based laser system, Echidna® that can make a wide range of measurements of forest structure, including LAI. Here, use of the system to provide field data and derived gap probabilities in the form of a hemispherical photograph with range is demonstrated. The results show consistency and reproducibility and do not depend on special conditions for the natural light field.
Keywords: foliage profile, forest measurement, laser scanning, leaf area index, vegetation canopies, vegetation structure
Received May 15, 2007; Accepted August 26, 2007