Journal article
Assessing forest canopy density in a highly variable landscape using Landsat data and FCD Mapper software
Australian Forestry, Vol.67(4), pp.247-253
2004
Abstract
Forest canopy density (FCD), estimated with the FCD Mapper, was correlated with basal area and predominant height (PDH) for 48 field plots, measured in highly variable native eucalypt forest at Toolara, south-eastern Queensland, Australia. The Mapper was produced for the International Tropical Timber Organisation and is available on a CD-ROM. It estimates FCD as an undefined index of canopy density using reflectance characteristics of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper images. The Mapper is a 'semi expert' computer program which uses interactive screens to allow the operator to make decisions concerning the classification of land into bare soil, grass or forest. The results of a FCD classification are therefore dependent on the operator's decisions and were found to be highly sensitive to small changes in settings. A positive, weak (r 2 = 0.36) nonlinear relationship of FCD with basal area was observed, while a strong (r 2 = 0.68) similar relationship was observed between FCD and PDH. The strong relationship of FCD with PDH suggests that this remote sensing technique has promise for forest inventory, but that a quick and robust method of measuring FCD in the field is still required for ground truthing.
Details
- Title
- Assessing forest canopy density in a highly variable landscape using Landsat data and FCD Mapper software
- Authors
- Jack Baynes (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Australian Forestry, Vol.67(4), pp.247-253
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Australasia
- DOI
- 10.1080/00049158.2004.10674942
- ISSN
- 0004-9158
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Tropical Forests & People Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450060302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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