Proposta metodológica para a estimativa da estrutura do dossel no IFN/BR utilizando fotografias hemisféricas

Daniel Augusto da Silva; Alexander Christian Vibrans

doi:10.4336/2025.pfb.45e202402302

Authors

Daniel Augusto da Silva University of Blumenau https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4454-7142
Alexander Christian Vibrans University of Blumenau https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8789-5833

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4336/2025.pfb.45e202402302

Keywords:

Forest inventories, Forest canopy, Hemispherical photography

Abstract

Despite its central role in ecological processes, biogeochemical cycles and climate, canopy structure estimates are not included in the Brazilian National Forest Inventory (IFN/BR) measurements. Here, we propose a simple and cost-effective methodology to incorporate these estimations using hemispherical photographs. We applied this methodology on 363 sample units (SU) in Santa Catarina State during the second cycle of measurements of the FlorestaSC Program and computed the necessary time for the operations on 10 of those SU. To demonstrate the potential of the method we compared the canopy structure of the forest types occurring in SC. On average, 3% of the time necessary to complete the measurement of a subsample unit is used to take hemispherical photographs. Of all SU, we successfully characterize the canopy of 244 SU. We found that all variables of the canopy structure differ between forest formations, mainly between Araucaria Forest and Evergreen Rain Forest. The IFN/BR represents a great opportunity to implement canopy structure estimation nationwide with little operational investment. In turn, these estimates add a new dimension for our understanding of the Brazilian forest ecology and functioning, and their relationship with climate.

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Author Biographies

Daniel Augusto da Silva, University of Blumenau

http://lattes.cnpq.br/3813942754400224

Alexander Christian Vibrans, University of Blumenau

http://lattes.cnpq.br/6063800901454053

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