The potential of airborne LiDAR technology to quantify forest structure within eucalypt forests has been evaluated with a focus on the understorey stratum. To achieve this, three studies have been undertaken using multiple (4) LiDAR datasets acquired over three test areas located in Wedding Bells State Forest, Coffs Harbour, Australia. Initially, the effects of sensor configuration were evaluated using field measurements collected from three structurally and topographically differing field plots (40 x 90 m areas). Results indicated that canopy height profiles derived from LiDAR data at the plot scale were largely unaffected by a change in platform altitude from 1000 to 3000 m (p &gt 0.05). In addition, the derivation of individual tree attributes was found to be highly sensitive to the density of LiDAR observations whilst higher platform altitudes showed an increased proportion of single returns over forested areas. In the second study, an innovative field based approach was developed to sample the structure of the understorey (horizontally and vertically) for LiDAR validation purposes. Using two separate LiDAR datasets, this research confirmed that mean understorey height and understorey cover can be effectively mapped in areas of low to medium canopy cover whilst no significant relationship (p &gt 0.05) was identified between field and LiDAR estimates of maximum understorey height. In the third study, an optimised LiDAR beam interception model was developed and validated, and then applied to assess the interaction of extrinsic and intrinsic factors of the LiDAR survey. This demonstrated that the probability of beam interception through the forest canopy can be affected by factors both intrinsic (e.g. crown cover) and extrinsic (e.g. scan angle) to the structure of the canopy. Overall, the results of this research indicate that optimising the sensor configuration is important to the derivation of particular forest structural attributes and significantly, there is potential for LiDAR technology to provide quantitative and spatially detailed estimates of key understorey attributes such as mean height and cover.

"Professional paper presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Studies, the University of Montana, Missoula, MT, fall 2006." / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Feb. 26, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-90).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-151).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: W. G. Shriver, Dept. of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-152). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to UO users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-162).

No description available.

Across the southern slope of the Nepal Himalaya lie large areas of upper-elevation broadleaf evergreen forest. Resources extracted by subsistence villagers include hand-cut tree-leaf fodder for livestock, fuelwood, and poles for construction of herders’ shelters. Indigenous use of forest products may be altering forest structure and resource availability in Nepal. This research examined forest structure and its relationships with human use of forest products near the upper-elevation village of Chimkhola in west-central Nepal. In the 150-ha forest study area, mean density and standard error (SE) of trees >10 cm dbh was 817 (30) stems ha⁻¹ and mean (SE) total basal area was 44 (3.2) m² ha⁻¹. Cluster analysis of density data for 32 tree species suggested three forest communities: a Symplocos-Quercus community, a Symplocos-mixed evergreen community, and a Rhododendron-Symplocos community. Ordination by principal components analysis of tree species densities indicated a relationship between community structure and a cutting index that increases with harvest intensity. Size-class distributions of important fodder-resource oak species suggested Quercus lamellosa is in decline, but Q. oxyodon and Q. semecarpifolia may be reproducing successfully. Age-diameter regression equations of three evergreen tree species showed growth rate of Symplocos ramosissima to be approximately twice that of Machilus duthei or that of Lindera pulcherrima. The fast growth rate and shade tolerance of S. ramosissima appear to confer a successional advantage. I assessed sustainability of harvest of pole-size (5-10 cm dbh) S. ramosissima used in herders’ shelters, by comparison of harvest and replenishment rates. Mean (SE) density of pole-size S. ramosissima was 375 (32) stems ha⁻¹ in the study area. If the total harvest was distributed evenly across the forest area, it would be 34 stems ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and would not exceed the replenishment rate. However, harvest was concentrated in the Symplocos-Quercus community, closest to the village and agricultural fields. Using stump counts as a proxy of relative harvest intensity, harvest rates were sustainable in the Symplocos-mixed evergreen and Rhododendron-Symplocos communities, but not sustainable in the Symplocos-Quercus community.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-104). Also available on the World Wide Web.