A Comparison of Photo and Ground Measurements of Canopy Density

Abstract

Comparisons were made of photo and ground estimates of canopy density in 18 softwood stands and 18 hardwood stands. Ground measurements were made with an instrument called the moosehorn; photo measurements were made on aerial photographs at a scale of 1:15,840. Results for both softwoods and hardwoods indicated that photo estimates are approximately 10 percent less than ground estimates. The width of 95 percent confidence intervals was less than 10 percent of canopy density.