Gap Shape Classification using Landscape Indices and Multivariate Statistics

Wu, Chih-Da; Cheng, Chao; Chang, Che-Chang; Lin, Chinsu; Chang, Kun Cheng; Chuang, Yung Chung

doi:10.1038/srep38217

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(26 reference statements)

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“…Maps of gaps were manually sketched with visual interpretation to create shape files as accurately as possible using ArcGIS 10.6 (ESRI, Redlands, CA, USA); vector data were subsequently converted to raster data ( Figure 2). Landscape indices have been proven to accurately quantify gap characteristics in previous studies [25,28]. Three widely used indices were selected to quantify the gap size, shape, and spatial distribution.…”

Section: Gap Characteristics Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Color-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Color-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Yuan

et al. 2021

Forests

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Background and Objectives: The landscape aesthetic service (LAS) is a crucial ecosystem service in subalpine forests of the mountain and ravine regions of the Tibetan Plateau, especially in autumn; it can provide important ecological and economic value, improving the livelihood of the local people. Canopy gap acts as a key role in the maintenance of species diversity and forest stability and ecosystem services. However, the mechanisms and interactions of forest stability maintained by gap formations and LAS via gap dynamics are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of canopy gaps on autumn color-leaved tree species diversity (ACTSD), color-leaved patch structure attributes (CPSA), LAS, and their interactions during the autumn viewing period, and to provide a fundamental basis for the management and protection of subalpine autumn color-leaved forests (SACF). Materials and Methods: We used very high-resolution images to quantify gap characteristics and examined the effects of canopy gaps on ACTSD, CPSA, and LAS in 21 SACF plots in southwestern China. We then used path analysis to determine the relationships between these factors. Results: The number of gaps and total gap area were the key gap characteristics affecting LAS; particularly, medium canopy gaps (51–100 m2) played a more important role. The path model showed that increasing the total gap area along with the number of medium canopy gaps had direct positive effects on ACTSD, color-leaved patch diversity, and total color-leaved patch area, thus improving the LAS. Conclusions: Canopy gaps indirectly improve LAS in autumn by significantly affecting ACTSD and CPSA. Our results suggest that forest managers may be able to manipulate the numbers and proportion of medium canopy gaps to protect and preserve ACTSD and color-leaved landscapes, promoting the LAS of SACF, and in turn, ensuring the coordinated development of economic, social, and ecological benefits for the underdeveloped rural montane areas of southwestern China.

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Section: Gap Characteristics Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Color-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Color-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Yuan

et al. 2021

Forests

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“…Gaps can range from small openings formed from the death of a single tree, medium openings formed by the asynchronous mortality of multiple trees, to large opening related to periodic storm events [10]. Gaps, in addition to being different for size, differ also in severity and frequency [8,11] and can trigger dynamic processes of forest species settlement, which causing change in composition, structure, and age [15][16][17], creating heterogeneity in forests [18,19]. Apart from the gap sizes, the cardinal points inside of gaps also influence the microclimatic conditions [20,21] and consequent germination and growth of tree species, playing a crucial role in the distribution of the vegetation patterns [9,[22][23][24]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy

Bagnato

Marziliano

Sidari

et al. 2021

Forests

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The present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m2; medium, 400 m2; and large, 600 m2) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size on the growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps were evaluated. The study was carried out in a European beech stand located in Aspromonte National Park (Southern Apennines, Calabria, Italy). Microclimatic variables, physical, chemical, and biochemical soil properties, natural regeneration density, and growth trees outside the gaps density of natural regeneration were assessed. This study provided evidence for an important effect of cardinal points on micro-environmental parameter variability, nutrient cycle, physic-chemical soil properties, water availability, and biological processes such as trees growth and regeneration. The European beech natural regeneration was most abundant in the south part of the gaps. Thus, we can state that cardinal points affect the trees natural regeneration in a species-specific manner. The new microclimatic conditions due to the gap opening had positive effects on the tree growth located along the gap edge, especially in the trees sampled on the edges of the medium gaps. On the contrary, the trees located in the forest recorded a productivity coherent with the period prior the gap opening. In medium-sized gaps, the combination and interaction of microclimatic and soil parameters (humification and mineralization process and microbial activity) created the best conditions for beech natural regeneration and favored an increase in the productivity of the trees at the edge of the gaps.

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“…Landscape indices have been proven to accurately quantify gap characteristics in previous studies (Getzin et al 2012;Wu et al 2016). Three widely used indices were selected to quantify the gap size, shape, and spatial distribution.…”

Section: Gap Characteristics Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Colour-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Colour-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Yuan

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundLandscape aesthetic service is a crucial ecosystem service in subalpine forests of the mountain and ravine regions of the Tibetan Plateau; it can provide important ecological and economic value, improving the livelihood of the local people. Canopy gap is recognized as the key mechanism in the maintenance of species diversity and forest stability and is known to further affect ecosystem service functioning. However, the mechanisms and interactions of forest stability maintained by gap formations and forest aesthetic service functioning via gap dynamics are not fully understood. We used very high-resolution images to quantify gap characteristics and examined the effects of canopy gaps on autumn colour-leaved tree species diversity, colour-leaved patch structure characteristics, and landscape aesthetic service in 21 subalpine autumn colour-leaved forest plots in southwestern China. We then used path analysis to determine the relationships between these factors.ResultsThe number of gaps and total gap area were the key gap characteristics affecting landscape aesthetic service; particularly, medium canopy gaps (51–100 m2) played a more important role. The path model showed that increasing the total gap area along with the number of medium canopy gaps had direct positive effects on autumn colour-leaved tree species diversity, colour-leaved patch diversity, and total colour-leaved patch area, thus improving the landscape aesthetic service.ConclusionCanopy gaps indirectly improve landscape aesthetic service by significantly affecting colour-leaved species diversity, colour-leaved patch diversity, and colour-leaved patch area. Our results suggest that forest managers may be able to manipulate the numbers and proportion of medium canopy gaps to protect and preserve autumn colour-leaved tree species diversity and colour-leaved landscapes, promoting the landscape aesthetic service of subalpine autumn colour-leaved forests and, in turn, ensuring the coordinated development of economic, social, and ecological benefits for the underdeveloped rural montane areas of southwestern China.

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Gap Shape Classification using Landscape Indices and Multivariate Statistics

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Color-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Color-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Color-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Color-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy

Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Colour-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Colour-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

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