Using high-resolution airborne spectral data to estimate forest leaf area and stand structure

Techniques are developed to estimate stand leaf area index using high-resolution airborne spectral imagery. Leaf area index on 8 m radius plots was found to be strongly related to the normalized ratio of wavelengths in the red (674–687 nm) and near infrared (751–755 nm) part of the spectrum. Data from 17 stands were used. Leaf area index estimates included both the overstory (Douglas-fir, Pseudotsugamenziesii Mirb. (Franco)) and the understory (salal, Gaultheriashallon Pursh) over a range of stem densities.