Stand Canopy Closure Estimation in Planted Forests Using a Geometric-Optical Model Based on Remote Sensing

Abstract

Canopy closure, which is the ratio of the vertical projection area of the crowns to the area of forest land, can indicate the growth and tending situation of a forest and is of great significance for forest management planning. In this study, a geometric-optical model (GOST model) was used to simulate the canopy gap fraction of a forest. Then, a canopy closure estimation method using the gap fraction was discussed. In this study, three typical planted forest farms (the Mengjiagang (MJG), Gaofeng (GF), and Wangyedian (WYD) forest farms) containing the most commonly planted tree species in the north and south regions of China were selected, and field measurements were executed. The results show that the gap fraction (Pvg-c) had a higher correlation with the average projected area of the tree crowns, and the relationship was an exponential function, with R2 and RMSE values of 0.5619 and 0.0723, respectively. Finally, the applicability and accuracy of this method were evaluated using line transects, and a fisheye camera measured the canopy closure. The accuracy of the canopy closure estimated by the Pvg-c was 86.69%. This research can provide a reference for canopy closure estimation using a geometric-optical model.