Multifractal analysis of canopy height measures in a longleaf pine savanna

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2000-03, Vol.128 (1), p.121-127
• Main Authors: Drake, Jason B., Weishampel, John F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: canopy; Canopy height; data analysis; disturbed soils; Ecosystems; edaphic factors; Fractals; geometry; height; Laser altimetry; Longleaf pine; measurement; monitoring; Multifractals; Pinus palustris; plant characteristics; plant physiology; population; Radio altimeters; Remote sensing; savannas; spatial distribution; Spatial pattern; Spatial variables measurement; spatial variation; Vegetation; Wood
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(99)00279-0

Spatial patterns of forest canopies are fractal as they exhibit variation over a continuum of scales. A measure of fractal dimension of a forested landscape represents the spatial summation of physiologic (leaf-level), demographic (population-level), and abiotic (e.g., edaphic) processes, as well as exogenous disturbances (e.g., fire and hurricane) and thus provides a basis to classify or monitor such systems. However, forests typically exhibit a spectrum of fractal parameters which yields further insight to the geometric structure of the system and potentially the underlying processes. We calculated multifractal properties of longleaf pine flatwoods, the predominant ecosystem of central Florida, from canopy profile data derived from an airborne laser altimeter and ground-based measurements in The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve located near Kissimmee, Florida. These metrics were compared for six ≈500 m transects to determine the level of consistency between remotely sensed and field measures and within a forest community. Multifractal techniques uncovered subtle differences between transects that could correspond to unique, underlying abiotic and biotic processes. These techniques should be considered a valuable tool for ecological analysis.