Measuring Forest Canopy Structure and Aboveground Biomass

Improvement in techniques for measuring forest canopy structure and aboveground biomass is needed for the advancement for carbon sequestration monitoring and prediction. This project will develop methods for measuring the three dimensional (3-D) canopy structure with a commercially available scanning laser instrument. The methods will allow for the estimation of the amount and spatial distribution of foliage surface area and mass in forested canopies. In addition, the methods will allow for the estimation of wood volume and biomass in tree boles and large branches. In Phase I, a laser-scanning instrument will be used to measure 3-D canopy structure in broadleaved, deciduous forests at existing research sites in the eastern United States. Estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and its spatial arrangement in the canopy, and the biomass of leaves, boles, and large branches will be determined for comparison to measurements made with traditional methods.