Identification of forest areas of high conservation value using the crown size index : A case study in secondary beech forests at the northern range limit

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  • Matsumoto Hitoshi
    Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • Ishii Jun
    Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • Ohtani Masato
    Genetic Resources Department, Forest Tree Breeding Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
  • Washitani Izumi
    Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo

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Other Title
  • 樹冠サイズを指標とした保全上重要な森林域の抽出手法の開発 : 北限域ブナ二次林への適用
  • ジュカン サイズ オ シヒョウ ト シタ ホゼン ジョウ ジュウヨウ ナ シンリンイキ ノ チュウシュツ シュホウ ノ カイハツ : ホクゲンイキ ブナ ニジリン エ ノ テキヨウ

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Abstract

We developed a remote sensing method to identify forest areas of high conservation value, i.e., with high densities of large trees, in a spatially heterogeneous forest. The crown size index (CSI) was calculated by object-based image analysis using a high spatial resolution aerial photograph. The validity of this index was tested for a deciduous forest in Kuromatsunai, Hokkaido. The CSI had significant positive effects on the average diameter at breast height (DBH) and the average tree height of canopy layer trees measured at the ground truth. Forest areas of high CSI value were characterized by high dominance of Fagus crenata in the canopy layer and well-developed understory vegetation containing a higher diversity of forest-dwelling plant species, suggesting that this index is adequate for detecting forest areas of conservation priority.

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