Percent Canopy Cover and Stand Structure Statistics from the Forest Vegetation Simulator

He has been an active participant in the development of the Forest Vegetation Simulator and its extensions since 1978. Estimates of percent canopy cover generated by the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) are corrected for crown overlap using an equation presented in this paper. A comparison of the new cover estimate to some others is provided. The cover estimate is one of several describing stand structure. The structure descriptors also include major species, ranges of diameters, tree heights, and heights to crown base for as many as three significant height strata. From these data a structural class is assigned to the stand using concepts defined by O'Hara and others (1996) with some subsequent enhancements. An FVS keyword for applying and tuning the classification is documented along with information for FVS Event Monitor users. An illustration of the structural classification is presented. You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing information in label form through one of the following media. Please specify the publication title and General Technical Report number.