[en] Canopy gaps are areas of high regeneration potential and, in uneven-aged forest, gaps are
therefore places of particular care for the forest manager. Nevertheless the cartography and
characterization of canopy gaps are complex issues. This paper addresses the fundamental
question of the canopy gap definition: what is the minimal area, the maximal height of
vegetation, type of regeneration, etc? From a regeneration point of view, canopy gaps can be
defined as holes in the forest cover where light conditions are suitable for recruitment. As an
active sensor, LiDAR has made it possible to tackle the problems of shadows and penetration
into the canopy, typical of aerial images. This study investigates the cartography and
characterization of forest canopy gaps as areas of natural regeneration.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Bonnet, Stéphanie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Bauwens, Sébastien
Lehaire, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Ligot, Gauthier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Lejeune, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Language :
English
Title :
The detection and characterization of broad-leaved forest canopy gaps: a regeneration perspective