Canopy density mapping- a new tool for forest management
2004
Alias Mohd Sood | Zulkifli Mukni | Mohd Puat Dahalan | Ibrahim Selamat
Using remote sensing, forest vegetation types can be classified based on phenological types, major communities and gregarious species, vegetation types of unique environmental setup and canopy closure. Canopy density, a new approach to characterise the forest composition is an important parameter used to stratify the forest.This paper discusses the method and potential application of classification based on canopy closure. In the physical method of remote sensing, vegetation density is estimated through synthesis of vegetation index, bare soil index and also shadow index particularly at terrain areas. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) developed a methodology that is able to assess forest status singly based on canopy density. Maps produced will depict the percentage of an area covered by the canopy statistically and spatially, sequentially able to estimates number of trees and tree volume. This information could be a new useful tool for forest managers to assist in supporting decision-making. A study area in one of the forest reserves in Selangor was chosen to illustrate how this methodology works.
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