Remote sensing of canopy structure in the Pacific Northwest

Disturbance histories and site conditions in the Pacific Northwestvary greatly. This has led to a complex pattern of canopy structures in the conifer forests of the region. Consequently, many forest standsare mosaics of differently aged and structured patches (Fig. 1). Youngand mature patches may have remnant old-growth trees emergingabove the main level of canopy cover. Old-growth patches may havenumerous canopy gaps in which younger, smaller trees are growing.Tall standing dead trees may be present in different numbers andthere may be a variety of canopy species. Given the current debateover the amount and location of various forest structural conditions,an efficient means is needed with which to identify and quantifyforest structural attributes across the landscape.