Forest Structure and Function Project
Through grants from the Carnegie Institute of Science, the National Science Foundaion and USFS, this research is examining th effects of fragmentaiton on forest structure and canopy function in a total of 150 kīpuka (0.07 – 100 ha), with the goal of understanding how long-term fragmentation impacts the functioning of tropical forest ecosystems.
To accomplish this work, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR, 1.2 m-resolution) remote sensing measures of total area, maximum canopy height, canopy
height heterogeneity, topographic ground heterogeneity, and total volume are helping to estimate kīpuka habitat complexity. LiDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with laser pulses. Our approach will make use of fine-grained natural variations within and between kīpuka in habitat complexity as covariates in statistical analyses.
The structural attributes of these forest fragments will be linked to other research in this field system to understand how ecosystem biodiversity responds to fragmentation.
To accomplish this work, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR, 1.2 m-resolution) remote sensing measures of total area, maximum canopy height, canopy
height heterogeneity, topographic ground heterogeneity, and total volume are helping to estimate kīpuka habitat complexity. LiDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with laser pulses. Our approach will make use of fine-grained natural variations within and between kīpuka in habitat complexity as covariates in statistical analyses.
The structural attributes of these forest fragments will be linked to other research in this field system to understand how ecosystem biodiversity responds to fragmentation.