SNF study location measurements of percent ground coverage provided by each understory species; percentages are averages of five 2-meter-diameter subsamples in each site (presented in table format)

This is a combined data set of canopy, subcanopy and understory composition by vegetation species and study site ID

Average percent coverage and standard deviation of each canopy stratum from subplots at each aspen site during the SNF study in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota

Biophysical parameters (DBH, shrub diameter, growth format, frequency) for selected sites within the Superior National Forest, MN, during 1988-89

Measurements of green leaf coverage during the spring of 1984 for canopy, canopy, and understory species for two aspen sites in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota

Site characterization parameters (canopy density, litter components, soil characterization: color, moisture, components) for selected sites within the Superior National Forest, MN during 1988-89

The purpose of the SNF study was to improve our understanding of the relationship between remotely sensed observations and important biophysical parameters in the boreal forest. A key element of the experiment was the development of methodologies to measure forest stand characteristics to determine values of importance to both remote sensing and ecology. Parameters studied were biomass, leaf area index, above ground net primary productivity, bark area index and ground coverage by vegetation. Thirty two quaking aspen and thirty one black spruce sites were studied. Sites were chosen in uniform stands of aspen or spruce. The dominant species in the site constituted over 80 percent, and usually over 95 percent, of the total tree density and basal area. Aspen stands were chosen to represent the full range of age and stem density of essentially pure aspen, of nearly complete canopy closure, and greater than two meters in height. Spruce stands ranged from very sparse stands on bog sites, to dense, closed stands on more productive peatlands. Use of multiple plots within each site allowed estimation of the importance of spatial variation in stand parameters. Within each plot, all woody stems greater than two meters in height were recorded by species and the following dimensions were measured: diameter breast height, height of the tree, height of the first live branch, and depth of crown. For each plot, a two meter diameter subplot was defined at the center of each plot. Within this subplot, the percent of ground coverage by plants under one meter in height was determined by species. These data, averaged for the five plots in each site, are presented in this data set (i.e., SNF Forest Understory Cover Data (Table)) in tabular format, e.g. plant species with a count for that species at each site. The same data are presented in the SNF Forest Understory Cover Data data set but are arranged with a row for each species and site and a percent ground coverage for each combination.

The purpose of the SNF study was to improve our understanding of the relationship between remotely sensed observations and important biophysical parameters in the boreal forest. A key element of the experiment was the development of methodologies to measure forest stand characteristics to determine values of importance to both remote sensing and ecology. Parameters studied were biomass, leaf area index, above ground net primary productivity, bark area index and ground coverage by vegetation. Thirty two quaking aspen and thirty one black spruce sites were studied. Sites were chosen in uniform stands of aspen or spruce. The dominant species in the site constituted over 80 percent, and usually over 95 percent, of the total tree density and basal area. Aspen stands were chosen to represent the full range of age and stem density of essentially pure aspen, of nearly complete canopy closure, and greater than two meters in height. Spruce stands ranged from very sparse stands on bog sites, to dense, closed stands on more productive peatlands. Use of multiple plots within each site allowed estimation of the importance of spatial variation in stand parameters. Within each plot, all woody stems greater than two meters in height were recorded by species and the following dimensions were measured: diameter breast height, height of the tree, height of the first live branch, and depth of crown. For each plot, a two meter diameter subplot was defined at the center of each plot. Within this subplot, the percent of ground coverage by plants under one meter in height was determined by species. These data, averaged for the five plots in each site, are presented in the SNF Forest Understory Cover Data (Table) data set in tabular format, e.g. plant species with a count for that species at each site. The same data are presented in this data set (i.e., SNF Forest Understory Cover Data) but are arranged with a row for each species and site and a percent ground coverage for each combination.

LiDAR derived percent understory cover of HAFE at 2m resolution. These data are part of a large data set describing the three-dimensional structure of vegetation in portions of four, primarily forested national parks: Prince William Forest Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, C&O Canal National Historical Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. All four parks are within the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network and contain forest monitoring plots that have been measured yearly since 2005. We acquired Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys of these parks during leaf-on conditions in 2009 and 2010. From these data four primary products were generated: (1) digital elevation models (2-m resolution DEMs), (2) Canopy height models (at 1- and 2-m resolutions), (3) canopy gaps (defined as 2-m grid cells with canopies shorter than 3m), and (4) understory percent cover (2-m resolution). All data products are made available in standard GIS-compatible file formats and are intended to be used to understand spatial patterns in vegetation structure and as documentation of baseline conditions. Future assessments of vegetation structure using the same or similar methods would enable assessment of change in vegetation structure over time.

LiDAR derived percent understory cover of HAFE at 2m resolution. These data are part of a large data set describing the three-dimensional structure of vegetation in portions of four, primarily forested national parks: Prince William Forest Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, C&O Canal National Historical Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. All four parks are within the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network and contain forest monitoring plots that have been measured yearly since 2005. We acquired Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys of these parks during leaf-on conditions in 2009 and 2010. From these data four primary products were generated: (1) digital elevation models (2-m resolution DEMs), (2) Canopy height models (at 1- and 2-m resolutions), (3) canopy gaps (defined as 2-m grid cells with canopies shorter than 3m), and (4) understory percent cover (2-m resolution). All data products are made available in standard GIS-compatible file formats and are intended to be used to understand spatial patterns in vegetation structure and as documentation of baseline conditions. Future assessments of vegetation structure using the same or similar methods would enable assessment of change in vegetation structure over time.