Airborne Laser Measurements of Rangeland Canopy Cover and Distribution

Studies were made at 2 rangeland areas in south Texas to measure canopy cover and distribution with an airborne laser profiler. In a comparison of laser and ground measurements of canopy cover on the same eighteen 30.5-m segments at the Yturria area, laser measurements of canopy cover ranged from 1 to 89% and were correlated significantly (r2 = 0.89) with ground measurements (1 to 88%) on the same eighteen 30.5-m segments. Comparisons of laser measurements of canopy cover for 500- and 940-m segments with an average of three 30.5-m ground measurements of canopy cover made within these segments were also significantly correlated (r2 = 0.95). Topography, vegetation height, and spatial distribution of canopy cover for 6- to 7-km flightlines were also measured with the laser profiler. Airborne laser measurements of land surface features can provide quick and accurate measurements of canopy cover and distribution for large areas of rangeland. Accurate and timely data on the amount and distribution of plant cover are valuable for understanding vegetation characteristics, improving estimates of infiltration, erosion, and evapotranspiration for rangeland areas, and making decisions for managing rangeland vegetation.