Assessing forest canopies and understorey illumination: canopy closure, canopy cover and other measures

Citation
Sb. Jennings et al., Assessing forest canopies and understorey illumination: canopy closure, canopy cover and other measures, FORESTRY, 72(1), 1999, pp. 59-73
Citations number
58
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
FORESTRY
ISSN journal
0015-752X → ACNP
Volume
72
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
59 - 73
Database
ISI
SICI code
0015-752X(1999)72:1<59:AFCAUI>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
The forest canopy is one of the chief determinants of the microhabitat with in the forest. It affects plant growth and survival, hence determining the nature of the vegetation, and wildlife habitat. A plethora of different tec hniques have been devised to measure the canopy. Evaluation of the literatu re reveals confusion over what is actually being measured. This paper disti nguishes two basic types of measurement: canopy cover is the area of the gr ound covered by a vertical projection of the canopy, while canopy closure i s the proportion of the sky hemisphere obscured by vegetation when viewed f rom a single point. The principal techniques used to measure canopy cover, canopy closure, and a number of related measures are described and discusse d. The advantages and limitations are outlined and some sampling guidelines are provided. The authors hope to clarify the nature of the measurements a nd to provide foresters with sufficient information to select techniques su itable for their needs.