Naslov
Analysis of canopy closure in the Omphalodo-Fagetum forests in Croatia using hemispherical photography

Autori
Jelaska, Sven D.

Izvornik
Hacquetia (1581-4661) 3 (2004), 2; 43-49

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Omphalodo-Fagetum; hemisphere photography; canopy; CART; LAI; NDVI; Croatia

Sažetak
Hemispherical (or fisheye) photography has wide applicability in various environmental monitoring, modelling and research. Since understory light conditions are very important determinant of vegetation pattern, during extensive field survey in dinaric part of the silver fir - beech forest areal, hemispherical photographs of forest canopy were taken at 151 plots. Photographs were scanned, classified based on the quality of their contrast and analysed with Gap Light Analyzer software. Percentage of canopy openness and LAI (leaf area index) were calculated. The results were analysed with descriptive statistics, linear regression and CART analyses. For portion of sampled area satellite ETM+ image was available which enable comparison of canopy features with NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetative Index). Statistically significant negative correlation was detected between canopy openness and NDVI for best-contrasted photographs, while LAI was positively correlated with NDVI for all analysed photographs, and negatively correlated with number of present plant species for best-contrasted photographs. According to CART analyses LAI was important predictor variable for estimating the number of present plant species. Obtained results pointed at the methodological steps that have to be improved and direct the future investigations to take most from the hemispherical photographs data.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA