In this study the ability to map understorey vegetation structure will be examined using a small footprint Lidar system (Optech ALTM 3025) for a eucalypt forest in northern NSW. In particular, the ability to quantify understorey vegetation height, density, and spatial variability will be examined. As overstorey vegetation will influence the passage of laser light to the understorey strata, a simulation model will be used to identify overstorey attributes that affect the mapping of understorey vegetation.

 

Applications of this research include: habitat assessment, biomass estimation, fuel characterisation, fire ecology as well as the characterisation of understorey light environments.